shirtlifterbear | President Bigot Obama Is An Enemy Of Gay People

President Bigot Obama Is An Enemy Of Gay People

An active and powerful enemy who looked us in the eyes and lied, lied, lied.

This post is about the current United States Department of Justice anti-Gay Civil Rights motion to dismiss filed about the anti-Defense of Marriage Act case currently working its way through the courts. (By orders of the President we helped elect, the Constitutional Law professor.) He is an anti-gay bigot, and a liar, an oathbreaker. He promised us to get rid of DADT, and he just defended it in a Supreme Court hearing. He promised us to get rid of DOMA, and now he's arguing that it's good law, and that Gay people don't deserve civil rights protections. I'm so angry that I can't see straight.

And if anyone wants to try to play apologist for him after this? Please defriend me, because this is active, explicit and intentional work against the LGBT community, and is completely indefensible, and if you try, I don't want to be associated with you in any context. You're either in favor of Gay Civil Rights OR you're in favor of the President of the United States, because he has just made it impossible to be both. And those of you who attacked me for being a Gay man supporting Hillary in the Democratic primaries because "Obama is so much better on our issues"? You were lied to by your candidate, willfully and evilly. The only reason he would risk this attack is if he believes in it strongly, if it MATTERS to him. He is an enemy, and WANTS this fight. I am afraid of what the President will try to do to us.

From Towleroad:

"DOJ Defends DOMA, Says Good for Budget, Invokes Incest

Americablog has been busy at work parsing the briefs from the Department of Justice's motion to dismiss the federal same-sex marriage case brought by Smelt and Hammer. There's plenty more to read.

Of the DOJ's rationalization, they write:
"Obama didn't just argue a technicality about the case, he argued that DOMA is reasonable. That DOMA is constitutional. That DOMA wasn't motivated by any anti-gay animus. He argued why our Supreme Court victories in Roemer and Lawrence shouldn't be interpreted to give us rights in any other area (which hurts us in countless other cases and battles). He argued that DOMA doesn't discriminate against us because it also discriminates about straight unmarried couples (ignoring the fact that they can get married and we can't).

"He actually argued that the courts shouldn't consider Loving v. Virginia, the miscegenation case in which the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to ban interracial marriages, when looking at gay civil rights cases. He told the court, in essence, that blacks deserve more civil rights than gays, that our civil rights are not on the same level.

"And before Obama claims he didn't have a choice, he had a choice. Bush, Reagan and Clinton all filed briefs in court opposing current federal law as being unconstitutional (we'll be posting more about that later). Obama could have done the same. But instead he chose to defend DOMA, denigrate our civil rights, go back on his promises, and contradict his own statements that DOMA was "abhorrent." Folks, Obama's lawyers are even trying to diminish the impact of Roemer and Lawrence, our only two big Supreme Court victories. Obama is quite literally destroying our civil rights gains with this brief. He's taking us down for his own benefit."

EDITED TO ADD: here's the link to the document: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/06/doj-defends-doma-says-good-for-budget-invokes-incest.html

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I know I've defended him in the past, but mostly, it was a "give him a chance" kinda thing. I was a Hillary supporter, and it pisses me off that so many people were bitchy about her. I wanted things to be good with Obama, and they still might, but this will be a huge taint on anything he says in the future.

Basically, for me, he has to do everything he promised and more.

He's lied, and until he DOES positive things to make up for it?

Fuck him.

Though it was a Clinton who gave us "Don't Ask Don't Tell" as a quick backpedal after promising to end the gay ban altogether-and signed/supported DOMA.

So it's hard to say what her current position would be.

Plus Obama is Hillary's boss ... so that one action is AS MUCH as Obama has done as president.

Not defending the guy really. But feel I have to state my middle of the road waffly opinoin :-)

I got the whole "Obama is so much better on Gay issues" attack as a State Hillary delegate, and now, what do I hear from all those True Believers?

Nothing.

NOT ONE WORD.

I feel awful for them, truly, because they BELIEVED in him so strongly, and that faith has been utterly betrayed.

While I'm no fan of Bill Clinton's signature on DOMA, DADT was an attempt to let gays serve that has been proven not to work.

And Hillary's action is totally independent of him, she is in charge of the State Department as Secretary, and makes exectuive decisions about how it's run. It would be disgusting to give him credit for HER orders.

I HATE that he's set himself up as our enemy. I want to just ask him "What's your fucking problem?"

Well, I'm waiting to hear a word and word ... from the guy I mentioned on my friend's list who jumped all over the Obama's pee's in rainbow colours bandwagon.

As a matter of fact, that's the first thing I thought (probably not the best thing to think) when I read this DOMA news, "Well he utter a word."

On the other hand my lj friend who wrote "Let's be realistic ... Obama's throwing us under the bus ... " has also graciously been quiet, instead of being all up on the I TOLD YOU SO's.

Maybe they're just all over on Facebook with the other cool kids.

Can't say I agree with you there.

He seems to think, I think, that he won on the black vote. While there may have been more blacks voting, I can damn near guarantee you that a bigger chunk of his bankroll came from us.

No, we won't be running to the GOP. We will, however, throw shit-tons of money at a different candidate next time around.

We've made such huge strides in the UK, CP is legally equivalent to marriage (its still an annoyance for me that it is different legislation though and the remaining inequality was actually removed by tax allowances changing for married people) and I can't have imagined a Conservative government championing our rights to the same extent. I'm just really sorry - after the Bush years it must have seemed like Obama would make sweeping changes. I always suspected he was style over substance...

And I totally get that feeling. I am just saying that we're not voting anytime soon. We may feel differently then. Or we may not. I will let more politically active agencies burn calories just to avoid looking knee jerky. If we are not better off we can do more (as individuals) at election time

I intend on writing him a politely worded letter asking him to reconsider. I would not ask him to abandon any personal values of his, but I would ask his administration to stay out of the issue.

[EDIT]: Actually, my admittedly cynical suspicion is that Obama will go end up making some token gestures to homosexual rights to help court the gay vote before the next general election. By that point, he can say that he was wrong before and was moved by the heartfelt reaction of those in the gay community after his earlier policies, thereby gaining a stronger sympathy vote. If that is the case, it is a well played Machiavellian act.

Edited 2009-06-12 22:13 (UTC)

Wow... I'm surprised I wasn't aware of this earlier.

Yes... I'm disappointed in Obama's actions. Yes, this probably means that Obama will probably not willingly support us until the next election cycle when he will have "a change of heart" and lay out the red carpet for us.

Still... I don't know exactly how to respond.

Up until now, I've always said that I'd rather see him do improvements in our economy and the Iraq war, as I felt they were more "pressing" issues--I want to be an adult in a reasonably peaceful and stable economically country than to be an adult who can marry adults in a country teeter-tottering on the brink of depression and overwhelmed with war.

However, I can't ignore this: "He actually argued that the courts shouldn't consider Loving v. Virginia, the miscegenation case in which the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to ban interracial marriages, when looking at gay civil rights cases. He told the court, in essence, that blacks deserve more civil rights than gays, that our civil rights are not on the same level." I can't ignore this.

It's gonna take A LOT of things to make things right: the economy, DOMA, DADT, etc etc.

Basically, he's has to give us everything he promised AND an APOLOGY.

At this point, I don't see that happening.

This is an attempt to actively take away our Civil Rights gains.

I don't think this is a stratagem, I think this is an attack.

I don't think that he's a bigot, but I do think that he's banking on the LGBT community being placated by a bunch of empty words. If that's the case, then it could be a huge miscalculation on his part. Why would people continue to vote if they just get set up for disappointment over and over again? If we stay home in 2012, then he could end up a single-term President.

I made phone calls for him in November. I won't make that mistake again.

So what are you doing to make Obama, and make the Dems do the right thing?

Logically, based on what you say, perhaps you should defriend me. I leave that in your hands.

I worked hard for Obama, and I don't regret that in the slightest - before we all forget, I offer this delightful, danceable reminder of what we all banished last November 4:

I didn't pick Obama, when the Democratic race came down to the two finalists, because of LGBT issues. I might well have chosen Clinton were that my #1 issue. But I thought ending the Iraq War and restoring the U.S.'s credibility around the world were two areas where he stood out (in fact, I'm delighted that he & Clinton have partnered so well in this regard). I also liked what he did to build a broader political movement and not only win a single election. On most other issues, I thought they were a wash, one marginally ahead of the other depending on the issue in question. (I offer this for context of where I'm coming; others' mileage will vary, of course)

Early last fall, David Brooks (a columnist who usually grates on me but who now & then nails it) warned the GOP that they were running a campaign against Adlai Stevenson... when in fact they were up against the second coming of Richard Daley. Bingo. I'm reminded, again & again & again, as I watch this administration, juggle a ludicrous number of priorities, of the quote attributed in various forms to FDR, when pressed by labor and civil rights leaders to support their causes: I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it.

I'm not at all happy with today's DOJ brief, not in the slightest. I think Obama's been tone-deaf on LGBT issues since the inauguration, but I'm not sure that the language of "bigotry" is either helpful, accurate, or actually helps us in anyway build the political pressure to make the administration, and to make timid Congressional Democrats do the right thing. We know we're on the right side of history, but that's not enough for Beltway politics... Basically, I don't see us making the Administration or the Congress pass ENDA, repeal DOMA & DADT, and enact the rest of a pro-LGBT legislative agenda -- some individuals, some progressive Congressional reps, and some organizations notwithstanding. We all have to do a lot better if we want change to come.

Let me just slip on my flame proof suit. I'm going to disagree with some of the conclusions here without disputing the facts.

I believe that President Obama will eventually do the right thing, but it is probably not a personal priority. And face it, there are a bunch of bigger issues like the economy and health care which need a lot of his attention right now.

I have also come to the personal conclusion that Obama is a brilliant strategist and is quietly setting every battle up as a win. E.g.; the Sotomayor nomination. As much as the Republicans want to put up a fight and torpedo any Supreme Court nominee President Obama proposes, they have a Hobson's choice in opposing a very visible member of a voting bloc they desperately want to woo. It will be interesting to see how health care goes; Obama has already framed it as a problem for small business and Republicans will have to tread on eggshells to avoid appearing anti-business.

Unfortunately, the US Government will continue to enforce the laws as written for now, no matter how unfair they are to the LGBT community. I honestly believe that Obama will try to do the right thing... just not as soon as we would like.

And as upset as you are, do you really believe a McCain / Palin administration would have been better for the LGBT community and the rest of the country? I'd rather have someone in office who will listen to a rational argument and give it consideration than a 'shoot from the hip' maverick.

I just want to say this, I think it is sad we need civil liberties for specific people. People are people and should be treated equally. Just for example If my sister wants to marry her gf then she should be able to and there shouldn't be a special law saying she can or can't. It should just be.

I'm not speaking with 20/20 hindsight, but I was always queasy with President Obama's stance on gay issues. My issue with him stemmed from his religion. For those of us raised Catholic, you can take the man out of church, but you can't take the church out of the man. My mother, Ms. Mag reading, environmentalist, liberal, still wasn't all that keen on my brother living with his then gf (now wife.) It can be really hard to overcome religious dogma.

At best, I feel President Obama tolerates us (and I mean that in the worst possible way, the way twinks tolerate bears during Bear Week in Provincetown. Despite it being a 21st century buzzword, it isn't actually a good thing.) I don't know about other gay press, but "Bay Windows" in Boston called him out early on his not giving out any face time to the gay press. AT ALL. This was winter of 2008.

I'm not surprised, however. He deliberately went far left of Hillary, who's campaign was basically as pragmatic as President Obama is being now. I was highly suspect of his campaign. I voted for Senator Clinton, but once she conceded, I had no choice but to vote for then Senator Obama. For me, it wasn't so much about voting for him, but it was about voting against the status quo.

Sadly, gay democrats are being put in the same position as the log cabin republicans have been put in for the past 8+ years. Bent over, grabbing our ankles, and it's not fun, nor is it sexy. I'm not enjoying getting it in that position from our standard bearer and having the gay community apologize and make excuses for our abusive lover.

Over on [Bad username or site: Dr Scott @ livejournal.com]'s post on this very subject, someone broke the news from Andrew Sullivan where it was reported that W Scott Simpson who was the author of the DOMA Brief is a Bush holdover and a devout Mormon so there may well be more to this story than just Obama, not to say Oboma isn't guilty, but he my not be the only player in this.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/who-wrote-the-doma-brief.html

Edited 2009-06-13 01:31 (UTC)

As a general rule, I think it best not to assume that the actions of another are motivated by spite. Such thinking tends to lead to knee-jerk reactions and escalated hostilities, which makes reconciliation more difficult.

I'm waiting a while to make any decisions about how to feel about this and the general air of do-nothingness surrounding the administration. First, none of what was released today by the DOJ was generated by the President, and until it became a media spectacle, it likely was not even on his radar screen. Does anyone really think that the President wrote or had anything to do with this rather lengthy brief to dismiss? Granted, he is responsible for the position of his administration. A parent is also responsible for the actions of their children, even when their children are far out of their sight and mind. There's technical responsibility, and then there's reality.

I'm not saying the President has done anything for "the gay community," whatever that is. I am disappointed that he has not stepped up to bat, and used every opportunity to do what is right for us. But the reality is that the issues facing the LGBT community -- as horrible as some of them are -- are not as apparent, visible, or pressing as some other things are. Gay people are being lynched (though in not nearly the numbers that black people were in my early years). Gay children are being beaten up and killed, and forced to live in subjugation and shame. LGBT people in general do not have the same civil rights as the rest of America. These things are terrible, and they need to go away now.

In the meantime, children are being burned and bombed in the Middle East. Gay men in Iraq are having their anuses glued shut and are forced to take powerful laxative that send them into screaming agony for hours or days, until their intestines literally explode and they die. Women are being tortured and killed in Afghanistan. North Korea and Iran are building nuclear weapons. Americans are being killed in war. China and foreign companies are acquiring huge stakes in large American corporations. Nearly one in ten Americans are unemployed. Today I listened for an hour while a woman explained her younger, 20 year old sister's recent health tragedies that are leaving her unresponsive, with nearly three million dollars in medical bills that could cause her family to lose everything; because even though they have insurance, it comes with a 20% copay.

I'm pissed as hell about my rights. I cry when I think about what some young gay kids have to live with in their own homes. I am enraged when I hear about someone being hurt or killed because they are gay or transgendered. And the Christian right boils my blood so much that I have become a hateful opponent of all religion.

When Obama was sworn in, I really had no expectation that "things" were suddenly going to get better on any front. I never expected him to step in as a gay crusader. I did expect him to step up to the things he said in his campaign, which -- disappointingly -- included his belief that marriage was reserved for the breeders. Honestly, I regret voting for him in the primaries, and I would have preferred to vote for Clinton in the election.

But here's the thing: I believe that if we had elected Clinton, we would be having the same conversations about the same disappointments. Maybe more so, because she worked harder to court us during her campaign. But we've only had an administration change for six months. Thinking about the administration that was in office at the beginning of the year, and about the issues at hand, do we really expect, or even want, our issues to be a major focus of attention right now? Personally, I'm more concerned that we end the war in Iraq. I want to feel safe, and I want Israel to feel safe, from Iran (I'm still a Jew, even if I stomp all over the Torah). I don't want us to end up with soup lines and people being forced from their homes. I don't want all of our economic base to be in the hands of China. I DO want my stuff, and I want it sooner, rather than later! But even I, queer superhero that I want to be, have to concede that there are other priorities just now. I want the President's attention to be on saving my country from what has been done to it during the Shrub's administration. When things are a bit more secure overall, then he can pay some more attention to my needs and wants.

Continued in next comment...

Continued from previous comment...

And while we are waiting, society is actually changing. Isn't that what we really want, anyway? Iowa, of all places, has legislatively allowed gay marriage! New Hampshire! Fucking MAINE. We are making solid progress, in the face of loud opposition. Yes, there have been more setbacks than steps forward. But today the governor of New York told his legislature to get their asses in gear to remove the barriers to gay marriage.

And Jerry Brown just filed a brief supporting the repeal of Proposition H8. Schwarzenegger is expected to do the same.

This doesn't mean that I in any way let the President or the administration off the hook. What was said today by the DOJ was reprehensible and irresponsible. It would not surprise me if there was an amendment to the statement made later. I AM trying not to be reactive to what I see in the press, and whatever is popular to scream about on any given day.

When Obama took office, I intended to give him two years to make progress in getting things into order, before I started complaining. It will take his term(s), and the next several Presidents', to repair what the Shrub did to our country. I expect nothing in six months except learning to do the job. So far. In two years, however, I will be expecting a lot more.

More food for thought: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid90000.asp with which I know enough to neither agree nor disagree.

Defriend away. That's not a threat that will change what I know or think, or make me pretend otherwise.

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President Bigot Obama Is An Enemy Of Gay People

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