
*
Unfortunately, one of the most prominent people who fails to recognize the full promise of America for LGBT Americans is President Barack Obama. At a briefing with representatives from LGBT media outlets on July 1, Obama's senior domestic policy adviser, Melody Barnes, was in the unenviable position of explaining that failure in the most palatable way.
*
Barnes, who has suggested in the past a difference of opinion with the president on marriage equality, told those in attendance on Thursday that repeal of DOMA and extension of same-sex partner benefits where possible in the meantime was the "course" Obama has "identified" and "supported."
*
The distinction between Kagan's status as potential justice and Obama's role as president is the key to the distinction between the level of forthrightness we should expect from each in their answers.
*
The President of the United States, however, is in no such position and has no such reason to take the Fifth. Although the Justice Department may be obligated to defend validly enacted laws, its decision regarding whether there is any legitimate ground for defending the constitutionality of a law like DOMA has no bearing on whether the president personally believes the law is constitutional or not.
*
Obama owes the LGBT community -- and the nation -- an answer about whether he believes DOMA unconstitutionally restricts the equal rights of same-sex couples. . . . Even if Obama wishes to avoid answering such a question, though, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker -- in one of the cases to which Kagan was referring -- is likely to force his hand in the near future.
*
[S]ilence, though tempting, is not an acceptable answer from a president who promised to be a "fierce advocate" for LGBT equality. . . . This week is as good a time as any for the administration and the president to stop taking the Fifth, and put words to his -- and this nation's -- promise of equality.
No comments:
Post a Comment