President-elect Barack Obama has laid out his commitment to LGBT rights in an eight-point plan posted on his transition Web site. Although his regrettable (and unlawful) injection of religion into his campaign argument against same-sex marriage (can't we have ONE president who is familiar with the separation of church and state? Please?????) still leaves a very bad taste in my mouth (yet he wants to repeal DOMA!), the rest of the plan is indeed encouraging:
The Obama-Biden Plan
* Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.
* Fight Workplace Discrimination: Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
* Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.
* Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.
* Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.
* Expand Adoption Rights: Barack Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.
* Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, Barack Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. Obama will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. Obama also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. He will continue to speak out on this issue as president.
* Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Obama's Pledge on LGBT Rights
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4 comments:
Don't get too excited. WHile 75% or AMericans think Dont Ask/Dont Tell should be repealed, Obama said he thinks it would have to wait until 2010 to do. 2 years to get people used to an entirely uncontroversial idea. He's also appointed 2 HRC hacks to his transition team, which is not a good sign at all. He's going to be just like Clinton-all talk, no action. (Thanks for DOMA and DADT, Bill).
I do thank Bill for Don't Ask Don't Tell...he tried to repeal the ban on gays in the military and the blowback was so intense it was one of the reasons 1994 became a conservative revolution year. So he settled for a policy that wasn't great then and today seems antique. But he tried. DOMA...that sucked. But Obama can not just waltz in and change attitudes. His motto of "change" refers to changing what people want changed. I believe most people think it should be fine for gays to serve in the military, but it's got to come about in a way that will not seem like he's forcing it on anyone. I can wait until 2010 for that. Gay marriage, far more controversial, we won't be waiting for because cases will begin streaming to the Court. I believe that before he leaves office his stated position (against gay "marriage," for civil unions and against anti-gay marriage amendments to state constitutions) will "evolve" and we'll be hearing him in support of it. I am patient because I think if we rush things, we lose ground.
What about working to get foreign same-sex partners of US citizens in committed relationships (such as, say, legal marriages or partnerships) admitted into the US? There is a stalled bill in Congress on this .. but no mention in Obama's manifesto.
Strictly speaking, two of those pledges are not unique to gays (the HIV and women/HIV pledges apply to all Americans because this is not only a disease of gays). I would point to his announcement on Friday (he has learned to push out unwanted news on a Friday) that he will delay any changes to DADT that we are not likely to see any material changes during the first 4 years. This contrasts with Abraham Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation during his first term (a move which caused riots in NYC and caused Lincoln to fear losing his re-election bid). Lincoln had the morale and political courage to do the right thing despite the action apparently being unpopular (personal traits which Mr. Obama has yet to show). What is up with Obama using the Office of President-Elect sign he keeps using? President-elect is a status, not an office. Cheers, GP
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