Is Obama a homophobe?

[gdaerin]

I would like to know if Obama is a homophobe. I wasn't aware that he might be, but I'd like to know it, if he is. Can anyone give me some quotes of his that are anti-gay?

Just to be clear, I don't think him knowing homophobes qualifies as evidence that he is a homophobe.

So, does anyone have real evidence that Obama is a homophobe?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[gdaerin]

2. What is that? I honestly don't know, please inform me! nt

[ruggerson]

3. Nope - I don't think he's a homophobe

but I think he cynically exploits anti gay sentiment to gain votes from a population he needs politically.

[ursi]

4. why don't you ask him yourself?

[gdaerin]

6. I don't need to, In my heart I don't believe he's a homophobe, but

I thought there has be some reason people are associating him with the term right now. I'd like to hear about it

[AGirl]

5. He’s a homophobe like Hillary is a racist.

same old crap. sorry :(

[gdaerin]

8. Oh, so there's no real evidence that Obama's a homophobe?

It's just made up like the "Hillary is a racist" crap?

[AGirl]

20. i dont think Obama is a homophobe.

[FreeState]

7. Obama does not fight anti-gay rhetoric - even at his own events - thats the problem n/t

[gdaerin]

9. Ok, so there are people at his events that say anti-gay things?

Ok, well that is interesting, please give me some quotes

[Kittycat]

14. My God - I'm sick of the spin in this place. Here you go - hope to help :)

Obama did a speech today, here is part of his quote:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4129627&mesg_id=4129627
And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we're honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King's vision of a beloved community.

We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them. The scourge of anti-Semitism has, at times, revealed itself in our community. For too long, some of us have seen immigrants as competitors for jobs instead of companions in the fight for opportunity.

Every day, our politics fuels and exploits this kind of division across all races and regions; across gender and party. It is played out on television. It is sensationalized by the media. And last week, it even crept into the campaign for President, with charges and counter-charges that served to obscure the issues instead of illuminating the critical choices we face as a nation.

So let us say that on this day of all days, each of us carries with us the task of changing our hearts and minds. The division, the stereotypes, the scape-goating, the ease with which we blame our plight on others – all of this distracts us from the common challenges we face – war and poverty; injustice and inequality. We can no longer afford to build ourselves up by tearing someone else down. We can no longer afford to traffic in lies or fear or hate. It is the poison that we must purge from our politics; the wall that we must tear down before the hour grows too late.

[gdaerin]

19. "We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them."

Is this it? Is this what has people calling him a homophobe?

If so, that's ridiculous, you'd have to take it completely out of context to see it that way. He was describing what Needs to Change

Would it be racist of me to say We used to lynch Blacks, because we (white people) did, that's a fact.

[avrdream]

50. "We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them."

Is that all we are going to get from Obama? Sorry, but this gay needs a whole lot more apology than that.

It might as well read: "we have scorned our gay brothers and we will continue to do so to win votes".

I call bullshit on this being concilatory.

[gdaerin]

52. Oh wait, ok I get it,

I thought this is why people were saying he was anti-gay, but I guess like you said, this is supposed to be an apology

[wiley]

57. I read words I wanted to read. I wanted to trust. Please read my last DU post.

So I read the speech to three Black friends who are very much not supporters of Obama. It was very difficult to even get them to listen. The response? "If he said these things before he was afraid of the backlash his campaign has created, we would be supporting him now. But it's too late" I thought his speech was great. He spoke before a crowd of possibly the most politically savvy and wise people in the country. He is a gifted speaker. He's on the cover of several leading Black owned or focused magazines this month, which will help him with many Black voters in SC. His supporters at DU seem to mention that with about 50% of primary voters in SC being black, that he will win SC. They mention we should avoid Hillary because we will lose because the hatred of her is so deep amongst the right wing. Some even say they would never vote for her. So I shouldn't vote for Hillary because some ugly ignorant sewer fungus like Hannity or Kristol or Limbaugh really, really hate her? "Progressives" and "Liberals" at DU hate her as well? There is a lot of hate in this country and the hour is already very late. This country is going into a deep recession. Many have lost all sense of ownership in this country because so many things have been stolen from us. The poor and the middle class have already been suffering for years. I know Hillary is brilliant in the financial arena and fair to good in most other areas. I'm voting for her. The fact that Obama got himself into the whole McClurkin mess just doesn't make me feel confident. And what you call "spin" is what both white and black and Latino gay friends and family have been living as a reality. "We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them." Yeah, that didn't just start a few days ago. And a blow job didn't get Bush elected or lose Gore the election. Criminals and dirty politicians feeding off the supermarket tabloid emotional maturity of a whole bunch of Americans did. To hear any Democrat say such a thing makes me think the hour has already grown too late.

[gdaerin]

58. I'm honestly not sure what you're saying.

But doesn't Hillary have just as much of a anti-gay history as Obama? I don't think they're homophobes but didnt Hillary vote the same as Obama on these issues?

[JackBeck]

10. Not a homophobe, but panders for homophobic votes.

Need me to elaborate, or do you already know the answer?

[gdaerin]

16. Yes please elaborate, I want to know more! nt

[JackBeck]

17. Donnie McClurkin and Kirbyjon Caldwell to begin with.

You can do the google or wiki.

[gdaerin]

24. But I'm not going to google or wiki it, because I don't honestly think Obama is a homophobe

Think of this as your opportunity to influence my vote! If you really think Obama is a homophobe, show me the proof!

[JackBeck]

28. Look above.

Never said he was a homophobe.

I'm more concerned about his campaign's disgusting habit of pandering for the homophobic vote, which is what my post was addressing that you responded to.

[gdaerin]

30. Ok, right, can you give me some evidence of that? I really want to know

more about this. This could affect how I feel about him.

[JackBeck]

34. I've answered your OP.

And given the info you've shared in your OP, you know what we have been discussing.

[gdaerin]

36. So if I go google these guys I'm going to understand why

they make Obama a homophobe? Why can't you just Tell me?

[JackBeck]

43. You're being obtuse.

I've never said that Obama is a homophobe.

But supplied you with examples of how he has aligned himself with ex-gay homophobes.

Open up a new tab and do some research.

[gdaerin]

46. You're being stingy

Ok, I get it, you don't think Obama is a homophobe, I'm sorry, I apologize. I can see how I must have annoyed you, by asking you to give me proof of Obama being a homophobe. I'm sorry! :blush:

Ok, I finally get it, you Do Not think Obama is a homophobe. But I still don't understand why you can't tell me what these other guys have to do with him aligning with ex-gay homophobes.

Ok, let's say I take you on your word, that these two guys are ex-gay homophobes, can you tell me how Obama has aligned with them?

[JackBeck]

48. Part One was extensively coverend on DU.

Here's an introduction to Part Two.

http://news.lavenderliberal.com/2008/01/21/any-gay-person-who-votes-for-barack-obama-after-this-is-simply-an-idiot/

[gdaerin]

49. k, I'm reading now, thank you!!

I can't believe this!: Kirbyjon Caldwell, former “spiritual adviser” to George W. Bush, will be campaigning for Obama, that's disturbing!

[gdaerin]

51. Ok, this is bad

"This is actually WORSE than McClurkin. This man actually RUNS an organization that ministers to youth to “cure” them of their sexual orientation."

That is horrible. I honestly think if an adult wants to try to not live as a homosexual, then they have that right, I believe in that kind of personal freedom. But, trying to "cure" youth, that's totally wrong, and this author is right, that's akin to abuse.

[gdaerin]

53. For Why?!

Why is he letting these guys campaign for him, do you know?

[JackBeck]

54. Like I told you before

It's pandering.

[gdaerin]

56. To Anti-Gays? But those are mostly Republicans right?

There aren't any anti-gay dems, right? Because if there are anti-gay dems then there is something really Really wrong with the democratic party!

[The_Casual_Observer]

11. Is McCain a homophobe?

[gdaerin]

13. is he? nt

[IndianaJones]

12. he actively campaigns for homophobic votes. nt.

[gdaerin]

15. Really? I don't like that, that's not good

can you give me links or quotes?

[Bluebear]

18. Do you have any DIRECT quotes from Eric Rudolph that he was a homophobe?

Not his acts, I want EXACT quotes to PROVE it.

:silly:

[gdaerin]

21. Me? nt

[gdaerin]

23. Me? I don't know who that is! nt

[Bluebear]

25. Please don't waste our time on your fishing expedition.

You don't need to have direct "quotes" to prove somebody's homophobia, actions speak louder than words.

[gdaerin]

26. What? Ok, tell me about the actions, I'd like to know!

Seriously, I want to know if Obama is a homophobe, if you have any information please give it to me!

[Bluebear]

27. Search McClurkin and Caldwell. Enjoy!

[gdaerin]

32. No! I don't know who those people are, or

even how they might be associated to Obama. Even if they are anti-gay, how does that show that he is?

[Duncan Grant]

60. Surely you know what the word "complicit" means?

If you have knowledge of wrongful acts (or an injustice) and do nothing, you are complicit in those acts. If you allow those acts to be repeated because it benefits you or your interests, then you are (in my opinion) contemptible.

[DaveJ]

22. Illinois seems pretty friendly to gay people

I mean, that is what should matter isn't it? Not one's personal issues but their effect on people around them, right? Perhaps homosexuals might have another take on it, but it seems that around here in Chicago gay people have little problem expressing who they are among peers and colleagues. Obama also opposed the Defense of Marriage Act on the basis that it would have allowed states to reject their rights to unions; Clinton supports DOMA, for the most part.

[Invidious]

29. What kills me about this smearing...

is that as a State Senator..he was a friend to the LGBT community..

[Bluebear]

31. Yeah, I wonder what happened to change his heart & throw us under the bus?

[Invidious]

33. Throw who under what bus?

I want a bigger apology for DOMA...but I forget we have already forgotten about that right?

[gdaerin]

35. DOMA

Defense of marriage act? What exactly did that do? Sorry, I'm not that informed on this subject!

[Bluebear]

39. Why don't you do a little reading, you don't seem very informed on this subject at all.

[gdaerin]

40. I know!

maybe I will, but I thought it would be easier if I asked people on here about it, I thought you guys might be able to give me a quote or link, or something!

[JackBeck]

44. What do you find so hard about google or wiki?

[gdaerin]

47. Well, I feel the burden of proof should be on those who make the claim! nt

[Bluebear]

38. We certainly have not forgotten about that either.

[Radical Activist]

37. He has marched in the Chicago pride parade and has made zero anti-gay statements.

Those are the facts despite all the over the top guilt by association games a few people are playing.

[Invidious]

41. My point exactly...

With a few signatures..Clintons have done more damage to LGBT people than ANYTHING Obama has done. Let's hang out in reality for a little while here...

[Radical Activist]

45. How's don't ask don't tell working out for you?

Obama co-sponsored civil rights protections for gays in Illinois that they aren't given in federal legislation because Clinton didn't pass those laws as President.

[gdaerin]

42. He marched in the Chicago pride parade, really?

I can totally see him doing that, thats the Obama I know! I just don't understand why nobody will give more info on the "guilt by association" you're talking about.

[Kittycat]

61. Yes, he has :)

[JackBeck]

55. Sucks that he's throwing all that political capital away

by pandering to homophobes.

[terrya]

63. Yep.

He marched in the Pride Parade...big fucking whoop. Compared to this shit.

And if Obama doesn't disavow this crap immediately, he doesn't have to waste him time pretending that he cares about the GLBT community by marching in the Pride Parade.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

59. So you wonder if Obama's a homophobe AND claim GOP women won't vote for Hillary

Do you support ANY Democrats?

[krabigirl]

62. No, but I think he's too cozy with fundies who think so.