Obama's New Gay Rights Crusader

[jefferson_dem]

Obama's New Gay Rights Crusader



President Obama has just made John Berry, the current director of the National Zoo, the highest-ranking openly gay appointee ever by tapping him to head the Office of Personnel Management (pending Congressional approval). As an assistant secretary at the Interior department under President Clinton, Berry fought to end a wide range of discriminatory policies, including background checks for gay and lesbian applicants for National Park Service law enforcement jobs, and worked to set up a grievance process for employees who were harassed because of their sexual orientation.

The Office of Personnel Management might not seem like a bully pulpit for a gay rights advocate like Berry. But, unlike workers at more than half of the Fortune 500 companies, the 1.8 million employees who fill the ranks of the federal government don't have domestic partnership benefits. Their partners can't participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, a plan that's been considered a potential model for health care reform. They can't benefit from retirement programs. And if gay federal employees move for work, their partners can't benefit from relocation programs.

Under President Bush, the Office of Personnel Management opposed Congressional efforts, led by Senator Joe Lieberman, to expand domestic partnership benefits to federal employees. Former deputy director Howard Weizmann even cited the 2007 Adam Sandler comedy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, about two straight firefighters who pretend to be a gay couple to protect their pension benefits, as proof that gay federal employees might commit fraud to get partner benefits.

Berry can't make Congress act, but he could reverse OPM's opposition, removing a major hurdle to the bill's passage. It also helps that Berry is widely considered a management whiz. At Interior, he held town hall meetings for employees, and kicked off a range of popular work-life balance initiatives. He reorganized the National Zoo's management structure and put it on a more solid financial footing.

<SNIP>

Berry's appointment may also be consolation for gay rights advocates who objected to Rick Warren's presence at Obama's inauguration and who are trying to be patient as the administration waits to take up issues like the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese praised Berry when rumors of his nomination first circulated in January. "The selection of John Berry to head the Office of Personnel Management is a meaningful step forward for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community," Solomonese said. "In his new role, John will make critical decisions regarding the implementation of fair workplace policies for millions of federal workers."

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/03/03/email-obama-s-new-gay-rights-crusader.aspx

[ccharles000]

1. lovely

[ej510]

2. Obama is more progressive than alot duers think.

[Kixel]

6. He's a sneaky progressive

To the average person, he doesn't seem like he's doing much. Making a gay man the head of HR for the feds means making changes that pave the way for acceptance of gay civil rights. While I wish we could wave a magical equality wand and make things fair, the US doesn't work that way. Obama wouldn't be able to get anything done if he openly supported gay marriage. By making things equal in the federal government, there will be a heck of a sample that extending same-sex benefits won't lead to crazy things happening.

Inviting Warren to the Inauguration also allowed a gay spiritual leader to be a part of the event without making a scene about being a crazy gay advocate in the eyes of some nut jobs. When he is reelected, there won't be any fuss about a gay man leading the prayer...been there, done that. Obama gets to continue to be a moderate while slowly pushing the agenda forward. Warren's a prick, but there were benefits to him being there.

I hate the road my gay friends must travel for equality-but I think Obama's quietly driving a trail when people are looking the other direction.

[HawkDawson]

8. Your post is spot on

Could not agree more.

[jefferson_dem]

9. Excellent post.

Thanks.

:thumbsup:

[merh]

16. your post is very astute

thank you for the perspective.

welcome to DU :hi:

[firedupdem]

17. I personally can't wait to type

merh told you all this long ago! You have been spot on with what Obama is really doing from the beginning.

:fistbump:

[merh]

19. Some of Obama's decisions I understand

others leave me bewildered and concerned.

I am trying to remain optimistic - I do believe he wants what is best for the nation.

[Hekate]

20. I agree with your insights. Quietly gets the job done. nt

[ProSense]

3. It's official: Obama names "highest-ranking openly gay official ever"

Today, in a widely-predicted move, John Berry has been appointed Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel, essentially HR director for the federal government. Berry, most recently director of the National Zoo, has a long resume of management jobs in the executive branch and seems more than qualified for the job of recruiting executive branch appointees and getting them appointed. But he also will be the highest-ranking openly gay official ever. Alyssa Rosenberg reported in January that Berry has been a strong advocate for domestic partner benefits in the past and will likely be a force to provide them throughout the entire federal bureaucracy, a major step forward for the government, which has not yet matched the private sector in acknowledging the need for equal benefits. Under the Bush administration, OPM opposed legislation that would have given federal employees domestic partnership benefits, but when the issue comes up again observers expect OPM to support the change. Berry's bio is after the jump.

link

[Fearless]

5. I would argue Barney Frank, but I suppose the OP means appointee.

[ProSense]

10. Yes, this is a reference to an appointment. n/t

[Berry Cool]

4. With a name like Berry

I'm liking him already...

[Starry Messenger]

7. That is welcome news! K&R.

[Cha]

11. Radical Dude!

Where's all the Best Wishes for John Berry in his new job?!

[NYC_SKP]

12. Excellent News!!! This is a very key position. Brilliant choice, Mr. President!

Head of HR, this has more value than many cabinet posts would, IMO.

:patriot:

Recommended.

[ProSense]

14. "Head of HR, this has more value than many cabinet posts would..."

And should get more exposure.

[NYC_SKP]

15. Yep...

I cross posted yesterday in another forum.

kicking this thread now... :kick:

[dsc]

13. This is a good appointee

[Terran]

21. Does this mollify your view on Obama's cabinet-level picks?

I wasn't part of that thread, and not sure how I feel about it (as a gay man)...but this makes me hopeful, and seems consistent with how I sensed Obama intends to work on this issue.

I am not part of the DU camp that espouses 'full equality right now' because my life experiences tells me that's unrealistic. This appointment somehow seems 'realistic'.

[dsc]

22. I will say I didn't know this position required confirmation

so that helps some. I also didn't know that this position was to some extent policy making and that helps even more (I had figured it was policy implimenting).

[Terran]

23. I'm glad to hear that.

I want to believe that he has us in mind, and like you say, this helps.

[tilsammans]

18. Excellent news!

:kick:

[CTyankee]

24. I never doubted that our president would not come through for ALL of us.

President Obama is, and always has been, for everybody's rights. I did not have the slightest reservation in my mind about his commitment to gay and lesbian people in this country.

Shame on those who had so little faith...