In a lip service type way he is. However basso did also claim that there was no difference in stance on gay rights between a President who wanted to amend the constitution of United States to permanently ban gay marriage, and a President who was against such an amendment. So his actions don't really match his words, and his genuine dedication to the issue of gay rights is definitely suspect.
Bush also said he would sign the Assault Weapon bill if it came to his desk. Big talk means nothing, action is what matters. so far their actions are equal on this issue.
That also isn't true. Obama sponsored legislation in Illinois that would ban discrimination on the basis of homosexuality. Bush has done nothing equivalent of that. Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, which failed by a vote of 49-48. That is the same amendment that Bush supported. Their actions are far from the same. Obama co-sponsored legislation to expand federal hate crimes law to include crimes perpetrated because of sexual orientation or gender identity. Again, he's actually taken far more in the way of action than Bush. Also it's stupid to claim that talk doesn't matter. When the President and leader of the GOP come out and say they support amending the constitution to permanently ban gay marriage, that is an action. Obama's talk and actions on homosexual issues is far from perfect, but it is leaps beyond anything W. Bush ever did. To claim they are the same is just ignorant, or dishonest.
As president the results are exactly the same. Obama could stop all discharges for gays right now, he has not done it. 49-48 was for cloture so it needed 60. He co sponsored 100's of bills. The results for the people from both presidents so far has been the same, zero.
Wrong again. Obama issued a presidential order which did issue some benefits to gay couples. Thanks to Obama's order they can now use sick leave to care for their partners and children, and added to long term insurance for federal employees. Again presidential support for legislation is indeed an action. It is an action both men took as President and on different sides of the issue. The fact that Obama co sponsored hundreds of bills doesn't change the fact that he did at that point, take action to move gay rights forward. I'm not sure why you even brought that up. His vote in the senate was still a vote and action to stop the amendment which Bush supported. Obama was on the right side of the issue, and Bush was on the wrong the one. It's now part of history. You and basso can pretend like there's no difference, but the record or each man shows differently.
these benefits just applied to federal employees. Employees at my company for example have had these benefits for years.
That's correct. I mentioned in my post it was for federal employees. Obama doesn't really have control over policies at private companies. And again, it's more than Bush did.
Congratulations to President Obama, he did more for gay partner benefits than Bush. He still did much less than Sarah Palin did for gay partner benefits for Alaska State employees, with a weaker executive position, and with a more anti-gay electorate. (Then again, she apparently wasn't worried about re-election.)
Yes he did. Like I said at the beginning, he is far from perfect on the issue. However, basso claimed that he was the same as Bush. That's far from true. I will add that Obama still has time to do more good for the cause.
Yes he does. None of it changes basso's laughable assertion that Bush and Obama are the same regarding gay rights. basso can't continue to make that assertion and expect anyone to take him seriously as a supporter of gay rights.
You know, funny thing is the real winner in all of this IS the Gay dating site. Think about it. The entire gay community (the target audience) + anybody who reads the news (possible closet audience) + others have either read about the rejected ad and/or have already seen it. Regardless, everybody who was intended to see it already saw it...all without the site having to shell out a single dime. GayDatingSite +1
Here is another ad that was shown on network TV a couple of years ago. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/liNBAvdfakg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/liNBAvdfakg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
How 'bout Close-Up Toothpaste? Ads ran for YEARS showing people mugging down. Heck, they're entire PRODUCT LINE was based on making out. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FOVFC64DexU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FOVFC64DexU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Let's face it: kissing has been in ads for decades, and CBS never balked. They are homophobic, right-wing hypocrites.
