Let's look at one of the simplest things Obama can do to begin to organize an approach to the LGBT community. Perhaps he can set up an obudsman, an advisor, or advisory panel, or perhaps another CZAR- because that's what he's done for others. LGBT community is an important enough group that we've been addressed multiple times throughout his campaign in speeches and in his presidency.
However, actions speak louder than words.
If he's serious on DOMA/ENDA/DADT - and I'm just not feeling the fierceness - why isn't there an advisory panel/working group/task force which is coordinating information, feedback with the GLBT community, and providing him with domestic policy advice on needs and issues. That would have prevented the glitch of the DOMA filing last week, and likely would have prevented the lugubrious signing of the "memo" this week. But of course, we know Obama's very busy - the entire free world rests on his shoulders. And you've got to prioritize. Let's look at his priorities. And then ask seriously - forget DOMA - why a huge base of the Democratic party, and one with one of the most complex political issues at hand isn't getting even marginal focus.
Here's a quick scan of other priority advisory groups. I welcome KOS groups to add more information on priority advisory groups because evidence is always interesting.
.97% of the US population (300,000 or so according to Wolfram|Alpha) gets an advisor at the table within his domestic policy team:
AP
Obama on Monday appointed Kimberly Teehee as a senior policy adviser for Native American affairs, saying she will provide "a direct interface at the highest level" of his administration and will ensure a voice for American Indians as policy decisions are made. Teehee is a member of the Cherokee Nation and has worked for Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., for the last decade.
He's got an HIV advisor for his domestic policy team (back in February)
Bay Windows
President Obama today announced the appointment of an openly gay man with deep connections in the AIDS service community to head the White House Office of National AIDS Policy.
Jeffrey Crowley, a former officer at the National People With AIDS Association and a current research scholar at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, will head up the Obama administration's efforts to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The position will also now be linked to efforts to help all people with disabilities -an expansion applauded by AIDS activists.
The Great Lakes have their own advisor!
Sun-Times
ANN ARBOR, MICH.--The Obama Administration today appointed Alliance for the Great Lakes CEO Cameron Davis as a special advisor to the EPA to help oversee the restoration of the Great Lakes. Davis is a former co-chairman of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. Commenting on the appointment, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition campaign manager Jeff Skelding said:
Gosh, Hackers have an advisor!
ChannelWeb
Obama Appoints Noted Hacker As DHS Security Adviser President Barack Obama appointed well-known hacker Jeff Moss, founder of the Black Hat and Def Con hacker and security conferences, to be one of the newest members of the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC).
Neighborhoods and Religious groups have an entire advisory council- and a gay man (Harry Knox from HRC) is included!
UCC Coalition
President Barack Obama signed an executive order on February 5 to establish the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Led by Joshua Dubois, the office was created to allow religious and community leaders to make policy recommendations to the President’s Cabinet Secretaries and each of the eleven agency offices for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships.
We've even got an interfaith advisory board and their appointments
Hindustan Times
The US administration has appointed a Muslim woman as adviser to its interfaith advisory board, a media report said on Monday.
Dalia Mogahed, an Egyptian-born American, on Sunday addressed the senate staff and think tanks in her first meeting after her appointment. The meeting was organised by the Congressional Muslims Staffers Association.
Al Arabiya
The first Muslim scarf-wearing woman appointed to a position in President Barack Obama’s administration met with lawmakers Monday and discussed her role on an interfaith advisory board the new administration hopes will broaden dialogue and understanding.
Are those who are advocating "patience" understanding the ludicrousness of having dialogue about experiences with Hijab being a priority while dialogue about issues affecting huge groups of men, women and children - marriages, familes and lives - don't even merit more than a "memo" signing?