Barack Obama Champions Gay Rights on the Campaign Trail

[usregimechange]

ON JAN. 20, THE eve of Martin Luther King Day, Sen. Barack Obama stood before Rev. King’s home church in Atlanta and proudly set forth his vision for achieving progressive change and unity in America. In that historic speech, Barack challenged his audience to examine their own prejudices. “If we are honest with ourselves,” he said, “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.” He continued:
“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 scapegoating, 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.”

This extraordinary act—including the LGBT community in a message delivered in the very heartland of the Civil Rights Movement—was merely the latest chapter in Barack’s advocacy on behalf of LGBT Americans. Among all the candidates in this race, only Barack Obama included gays and lesbians as participants in the American Dream when announcing his decision to run for President. Only Barack has regularly talked about LGBT equality on the campaign trail, even when the audience was not LGBT-friendly. Barack has been changing hearts and minds, and the visibility he has given to LGBT equality is unprecedented.

Barack’s commitment to LGBT rights is also manifest in his record of accomplishment, which extends throughout his 11 years in public office on every issue of concern to our community. From relationships and families to workplace discrimination to bold policies on HIV/AIDS, the Senator’s commitment is unmatched by any candidate. He has proven that he has the character to stand up for principle when the going gets tough.

In Illinois, Obama sponsored a fully inclusive anti-discrimination law that included both sexual orientation and gender identity. A subsequent version of that bill was later enacted as the Illinois Human Rights Act, now one of the most progressive laws of its kind in the country. The U.S. House of Representatives was not able to pass a bill that included gender identity. Barack helped make it happen in Illinois.

http://www.nyblade.com/2008/1-25/viewpoint/opinion/1204OpEdObama.cfm


Now, enough of the swift boat BS!

[JI7]

1. there were a lot of gays at the Obama house event i went to today

[usregimechange]

2. I just can't believe what some folks here are doing to this progressive leader

[ForRusty]

3. What do you expect?

He allies himself with disgusting human beings and then were treated like something offensive when we widen our eyes a bit and move to a candidate I know wouldn't dream of doing that?

Forgive me for a human reaction. He made his hole, let him lay in it.

[usregimechange]

5. Yes, Jesus ate with the tax collector as well, look at his record

[mondo joe]

7. Yet 0bama condemned Don Imus. Said he should lose his show and that he would never

go on Imus's show.

But anti-gays types are fine to break bread with?

[usregimechange]

11. Stop the swift boat bullshit and deal with his lifetime record above.

[mondo joe]

15. It's swiftboating to call him on things he's done. Since you don't give a shit about gay

issues or gay people, just drop it.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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

[mondo joe]

20. I don't care what you think your record is. When it's your rights, your life, your family on the

line like it is for me, let me know.

[usregimechange]

25. What makes you so certain it isn't? Did you use a stereotype or assumption about my sexual oreintat

ion? Otherwise, on what grounds do you assume I am a heterosexual?

[mondo joe]

26. Your statement that your record is amost as long as 0bama's.

A ridiculous way for an actual GLBT person to describe him or herself.

[usregimechange]

28. Are you saying that gays should not work on equal rights?

[mondo joe]

30. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA For you it's just an "issue".

For some of us, its our lives.

[usregimechange]

38. I would think that you would support work on equal rights generally.

But I guess you would say anything to win. Now, where did you learn that from?

[mondo joe]

You seem to be having a hard time following the subthread. NT

[usregimechange]

43. What is that, you use of stereotypes and criticism of work on equal rights?

[mondo joe]

45. You're off on an unrelated tanget. Let's try this:

Are you a GLBT person?

[usregimechange]

46. I am a minority and I will be damned if I will help you play political games with equal rights

[mondo joe]

50. How would you feel about Hillary using a KKK member to emcee a rally for her?

You know - to help build bridges for the racist vote?

[usregimechange]

55. Quit the political games. Obama did not select this person because of past ignorant comments

and his record should tell you that. In addition, he asked a openly gay minister to the same event. If someone was pandering to the racist vote, they wouldn't ask a black civil rights leader to speak at the same event.

[hulklogan]

56. You're right, he chose McClurkin despite his past homophobic comments

which, in my mind, is just as bad. Why didn't he have the openly gay minister MC the event? Or at least respond to McClurkin's "pray the gay away" sermon? Instead, he had the openly gay white minister speak to a half-empty auditorium while everyone was still arriving.

[usregimechange]

59. If he was seeking the hate vote, why on earth would he invite a gay minister?

sounds like a hole in the argument to me.

[hulklogan]

61. A feeble attempt to cover his ass after the GLBT community took him to task

for McClurkin. Why didn't he have the gay minister on the show to begin with, if he cares so much about GLBT issues?

[mondo joe]

58. It as 0bama's poliical game - not mine. NT

[usregimechange]

60. Nope, your using one distortion of one action and ignoring a life time progressive pro-gay record

that is a game and winning is not worth abandoning your principles.

[mondo joe]

63. You're trying to score political points. I'm protecting my rights and my family and friends.

If you don't like real GLBT people responding to your political talking points, don't post them.

[usregimechange]

65. If you cared about equal right you wouldn't use stereotypes to identify "real GLBT people"

[mondo joe]

67. You don't care about equal rights whn push comes to shove. Thanks. NT

[usregimechange]

69. And appreantly you would say anything, like your candidate, to win.

[mondo joe]

70. I've told the truth. You don't like it, your problem. NT

[NMMNG]

79. What black civil rights leader?

The openly gay minister was white and he spoke for less than five minutes. Furthermore Obama rejected two black gay ministers before settling on the white one.


http://news.lavenderliberal.com/2007/10/29/the-homobamaphobia-tour-preacher-donnie-takes-the-stage/

[usregimechange]

80. self-delete

[NMMNG]

82. Can you read?

It's all right there in black and white. :shrug:

[usregimechange]

83. I am deleting my response because I am sleepy and I think I did not understand what you were saying

my apologies.

[Avalux]

4. Obama!

A liberal with the ability to convince conservatives and everyone in the middle he isn't really a liberal and then persuade them to work with him to put his liberal policies into action.

Yes We Can! :hi:

[mondo joe]

6. What would you do if he used a KKK member to MC his event?

[usregimechange]

8. Go ahead and cite your slime and lets discuss it, will you discuss his life time record/reality?

[mondo joe]

9. His record includes giving a lying bigot a platform.

And if you really cared about gay issues you'd acknowledge it.

[usregimechange]

10. Was that right after the openly gay minister, at the same concert?

[ErnestoG]

12. Hehe, don't know why you bother. Obama haters dont need truth.

Like republicans, they have their foregone assumptions.

[mondo joe]

13. Don't know. Doesn't matter. When 0bama treats anti-gay bigotry the way he treats racial bigotry

we can treat him seriously.

[ErnestoG]

14. "Dunno". Operative term here.

[usregimechange]

18. It apears that his record has him doing for years, that very thing

[usregimechange]

16. Really what did he say about gays at any Obama event?

[usregimechange]

19. I am waiting...

[mondo joe]

21. What did who say? McClurkin?

[usregimechange]

22. Yes, you said he gave him a platform, what did he say?

[mondo joe]

23. Here you go

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/obamas-gospel-concert-tour/

[usregimechange]

27. I don't see anything he said that was homophobic at any Obama event

You act like Obama wanted him there to be hateful. Oh, and what do you think of Obama's record on this issue? Did he go shopping at a mall and his wife's friend's cousin talked to a bigot too?

[mondo joe]

29. 0bama was asked to not give a platform for this shit:

"He approached the subject gingerly at first. Then, just when the concert had seemed to reach its pitch and about to end, Mr. McClurkin returned to it with a full-blown plea: “Don’t call me a bigot or anti-gay when I have suffered the same feelings,” he cried.

“God delivered me from homosexuality,” he added. He then told the audience to believe the Bible over the blogs: “God is the only way.” The crowd sang and clapped along in full support."

But 0bama gave the platform.

[usregimechange]

34. You right about it's setting. Judging from Obama's decisively pro-gay record what...

do you suspect he would say about this if asked? I share this criticism but think it is dishonest to use this to try to make Obama into something he clearly is not.

[mondo joe]

36. What I think this means 0bama is: someone willing to pander to anti gay bigots for votes,

even though he isn't anti gay himself.

That's enough for me.

[usregimechange]

40. Who was he "pandering" to when he invited an openly gay minister to the same event?

[mondo joe]

42. I don't know - you tell me.

[usregimechange]

44. It apears that such an action is a message about what he believes in

[mondo joe]

47. Looks like trying to have it both ways without having to come down on one side of the matter.

Weasely.

[usregimechange]

51. His record and everything he has ever done tell people who honor the truth otherwise

[mondo joe]

53. "Everything". Except scoring cheap political points at the expense of gays. NT

[usregimechange]

57. Political points that he was also scoring when he invited an openly gay minister to the same event?

[mondo joe]

64. Doesn't excuse the bigot. Now answer me: Would you be okay with Hillary using a KKK member

to emcee her rally, as long as she had a non-bigot as well?

[usregimechange]

66. I answered the same question above and you even responded to it

[mondo joe]

68. No, you evaded it. If Hillary used a KKK emcee at a rally would you be fine with it

as long as she included one non-racist as well?

[usregimechange]

72. I don't think fire puts out a fire, it isn’t an effective remedy, engagement and education is

That is why Jesus ate dinner with the tax collector

[mondo joe]

73. You still refuse to answer the question. Predictable. NT

[usregimechange]

74. If you shopped at the mall with a pedohile and didn't ask him to leave the store

would that make you a bigot? I will not answer a question which includes conclusions and distortions in the question. And, feel free to disregard my question with as much spirit.

[mondo joe]

75. You answer my question and I'll answer yours. (Though we know you never will.)

[usregimechange]

77. If Clinton invited a KKK member for the purpose of speaking about hate who was not better known in

other roles for which he or she was actually invited for and did not also invite a black civil rights leader and otherwise was not a lion for equal rights of all kinds including racial inequality, yes, I would be mad at her.

[mondo joe]

78. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA way to cover your double-standard loving ass.

Stay classy dude.

[usregimechange]

35. He also gave a the same platform for an openly gay minister

[mondo joe]

37. So what? Is that supposed to justify McClurkin? You may not realize it, but these "ex gay"

assholes perpetuate a lot of hurt for gays.

[usregimechange]

49. You may not realize it but people who try to slime progressive leaders do as well

[mondo joe]

52. If telling the truth about 0bama's choices is "sliming" him, it points to poor choices

on his part.

[hulklogan]

54. So now people who disagree with Obama's campaign tactics are responsible for

the suicides and homelessness of progressive leaders across this country?:wtf:

Voicing disapproval with supposed "progressive" leaders cannot be compared with the harm the ex-gay movement does to GLBT teenagers.

[jackson_dem]

31. No Obamite can honestly acknowledge this

What Obama did is exactly like if Hillary used a KKK member to MC an event. Would that be acceptable to Obamites because she has a great record on civil rights? Hell no and nor should it be.

[KittyWampus]

24. It seems for many gay people, Obama has a lot of work to do healing the wounds

his careless campaign caused.

[magatte]

32. If you mean "for many gay people ON D.U., rabidly supporting Hillary Clinton", then yes...

http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/2008/01/openly-gay-latino-mayor-to-endorse.html

[mondo joe]

33. Hey, Magot, I'm supporting Clinton BECAUSE of what 0bama did. Not the reverse.

:hi:

[usregimechange]

76. Bingo

[Tektonik]

39. That's nice

The wound is still open and bleeding.

[ForRusty]

41. Nope. Caucusing for Hillary. He doesn't get my vote. nt

[hulklogan]

48. So one clause of one sentence in one speech is supposed to make it all better?

Ain't no swiftboating here, just calling Senator Obama to the carpet for what he has done and continues to do, or not do, for GLBT Americans.

Only the Obamanauts think bringing up McClurkin is swiftboating. I'm more disappointed than anything when it comes to Senator Obama's alleged "support" of GLBT issues. I have yet to see real evidence that he truly cares about our community. When has he done an interview with LOGO? When has he addressed GLBT youth directly? Why didn't he include GLBT Americans and straight people in his "laundry list of divides" speech after winning South Carolina? Why does he continue to suggest that heterosexual HIV/AIDS is a GLBT issue?

[ForRusty]

71. I agree...

He hasn't won me over. Maybe if he'd have been in the Senate a bit longer he could have had a better track record on this stuff. But he's shot himself in the foot over this issue as far as I care to talk about it.

[usregimechange]

81. The article goes on to cite a lifetime of work on equal rights

[David Zephyr]

62. Gay and in the trenches since 1969 for our rights and proudly supporting Obama.

Yes we can.

[usregimechange]

84. Ever since Stonewall, thank you for commenting.

[David Zephyr]

85. Well, I really got active in 1970 here in Los Angeles.

I was helping out at the LA Free Clinic when a young lesbian girl (I was 18) waked in with a tight t-shirt with a pink button that said "Gay and Proud". In that single instant, she forever changed my life giving me the courage to not just tell friends and family, but to be out and proud everywhere. I wish I could kiss her today.

Obama will be the President of all Americans.

[usregimechange]

86. It reminds me of one of my favorite MLK quotes:

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
~ Martin Luther King

She was a rare example of courage and authenticity... and maybe MLK was a tad pessimistic because we can be just as effected by positive examples.

Anyway, thank you for sharing.