I watched Obama's speech to the HRC and thought that he had hit this one out of the park. After the last 8 years of divisiveness under Bush/Cheney, it was great to see a president actually addressing the LGBT community as an advocate for their cause.
After the speech, I was curious to see the reaction on the internet(s), and I was floored by much of the response.
So much negativity.
I understand after so many years on inequality, your patience is wearing thin.
I understand that after so many years of inequality, the LGBT community finally has someone in their corner, but it's important to realize that how legislation gets enacted is just as, if not more important that when it gets enacted.
It's important that we are able to push legislation through congress with a consensus, rather than just a proclamation given by someone with monarch-like powers. For real equality to happen, hearts and minds have to be changed, and no piece of legislation, no matter how grand, can not do that.
It's also important to know that regardless of gender or sexual preference we are all American citizens. And while the rights of all American citizens may not be equal now, they will be.
Right now we are in one of the worst economic downturns in recent memories. The lost jobs don't care about your sexual preference. The housing market doesn't care about your sexual preference.
We are involved in war. The one's responsible for 9/11 didn't care about your sexual preference. And the terror networks all over the world who wish to do the United States harm don't care about your sexual preference.
Millions of people in this country don't have healthcare, and the one's who do are seeing premiums skyrocket. Disease and death don't care about your sexual preference.
The big problems that this country is facing right now don't discriminate! They don't care if you're black or white; male or female; and they certainly don't care if you're gay or straight!
These problems affect everyone.