Obama Going to End Don't Ask/Don't Tell Military Policy

I'm still waiting for the list of things Obama has done for gay rights...

 

Well he voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment and opposed the Defense of Marriage Act; so that's two things he's done for gay rights.

He's also 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.

wants to repeal DADT

He signed the Matthew Shepard Act last year which expanded hate crimes protections to gays.

Wants to strengthen the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

And he just Issued an executive Order Allowing Gay And Lesbian Partners Hospital Visitation Rights

it's a start

 

Thanks for the list, although a lot of it was "he wants" or "He believes" which doesn't count. I hope he does end up doing a lot for gay rights, but I think this is one issue where people trying to defend him come up short. I'm not bashing him for what he has/hasn't done, but I don't think it would be right to praise him for it either.

 

it's a hell of a lot better than his predecessor

 

Perhaps someone could clear this up for me. Suppose you didn't want to go into the military or wanted to avoid a potential draft, couldn't you just say that you're gay and they wouldn't allow you to serve?

 

He may very well have, but that's hardly an accomplishment.

 

pgabs with a vlaurelio post.

 

I'm not sure what you want from me. I already said I wasn't bashing him, but I'm not going to praise him either. I don't think he's done anything of more important than Clinton banning sexual orientation discrimination in federal employment. And as much as people criticize don't ask don't tell, that was a pretty significant step to take in the 90s.

You can keep going after me, but you are wasting your energies. I'm not attacking Obama at all.

 

How does my stance not hold water?

He could have issued an executive order to repeal don't ask don't tell and then worked on a Congressional act. He chooses not to for political reasons.

He could be an ardent advocate of gay marriage. He chooses not to for political reasons.

Obama has opted not to stick his neck out for gay rights issues. He has endorsed bills by others, but he has really not used any of his political might to address the issues of the gay community.

His administration basically lied when it said they extended benefits to same sex partners of federal employees. Those benefits were extended some 15 years ago.

He has not been a strong president in terms of his support for gay rights, largely because of political pragmatism. Will he become that? I don't know really. Maybe if he gets another term? That's hardly a fulfillment of his promise to the gay community.

My stance holds plenty of water. My stance is "I would not praise him for his work on the issues of the gay community."

 

Dude, I already conceded that he has arguably done more than any other president. My stance is that this is hardly worth signing a song about.

Practical because of the politics. So political.

Um do more than speeches about how he supports? Throw his personal political weight into legislation like EDNA, actually using political capital to take care of DADT? He gives a lot of speeches about them, but when the time comes to make them happen he does not elect to put his political muscle behind them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/u...p=1&adxnnlx=1274025616-hS7O6wjDwV0I2IgSSlLW7Q

The bill still does not permit health benefits for same sex couples, still does not extend Federal COBRA laws to same sex couples who are covered under group medical policies, etc.

Compared to what? Why is that relevant. I'm not trying to compare him to anyone other than what he said he would be. This conversation has somehow taken a turn in a direction I didn't intend.

I don't hate Obama nor do I bash him. Maybe you think I am someone else? I think there has been a mixed bag in his presidency and I don't think it is terribly different on a lot of issues than what Republicans would do. I don't think he has thus far been what he said he would be on gay rights and I don't like his positions on the wiretapping/executive power issues.

 

OK fine, you think he's done so much for gay rights and he deserves praise and adulation for it. I think your position is wrong.

Edit: And for the record I don't know many gay people who would agree with you.

No dramatics or "martydom" from me. Just trying to figure out why you seem to be so hellbent on arguing with me when I didn't attack the man.

Save the snarkyness for SamFisher thanks