On this coming Tuesday I am supposed to attend the local Democratic Party Committee meeting (which is chaired coincidentally by the First Vice President of the State Democratic Party, who I greatly respect) as a liaison for the LGBT community. Candidly, it's hard to be very enthusiastic given the national Party's betrayal of LGBT citizens and refusal to push through needed legislation like ENDA which would aid LGBT citizens in reactionary backwater states like Virginia. Barack Obama has now made it even harder to be enthusiastic given his mealy mouthed statement through a spokesman indicating that our "fierce advocate" doesn't support marriage equality. The overall situation leaves me tasked to generate support for a Party that has not supported me - it can only claim that it's not as bad as the other guys. In terms of the mid-term elections, I do support the local Congressional Democrat candidates because they HAVE voted the right way on LGBT issues on the occasions the weak kneed leadership in Congress has brought matters to a vote - e.g., DADT repeal - and co-sponsoring ENDA. Unfortunately, nonpolitical junkies in the LGBT community may not even know about these these candidates (Glenn Nye, Bobby Scott and Krystal Ball) and suffer from the malaise besetting so many in the Democratic Party base. Who can change this overnight? Barack Obama provided he puts aside his own prejudicial religious beliefs and stops kissing the asses of the Christianists. David Mixner has an excellent post on this "come to Jesus" issue that Obama cannot sidestep. Here are highlights:*
After the Proposition 8 historic decision came down on Wednesday, my email box was flooded with people from every walk of life issuing press releases praising the victory. The Republican Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger couldn't be more excited for the LGBT community in our victory. Justice and equality was having a good day and everyone was basking in it.
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Well, not quite everyone. Our President, our fierce advocate, continued with a game of giving us begrudgingly congratulations in a tepid unemotional and uninspired statement while sending his minions out to make sure the entire country knew that he was against marriage equality. If there was anyone that should sit down and read this opinion it would be this son of an interracial couple who had to go to Supreme Court to obtain marriage equality.
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This game has to stop. The President is either with us or against us. If he is neutral, so be it but then stop hurting us by saying over and over how marriage equality is between a man and a women. He should pay close attention to the line in Judge Walker's decision that says,
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"Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. "
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With this case he could no longer hide behind the fact that the Attorney General would have to intervene against us. The case does not involve the federal government. The issue is here to stay. As much as they wish, they can't manage it politically for their convenience. Mr. President, that is no longer possible. The surge toward marriage equality is even going to be stronger in this coming Presidential election. In fact, the Supreme Court could even rule one way or another before the election.
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For the President, an enormous amount is at stake surrounding this issue and it goes far beyond marriage equality. Is the President going to seize this moment in history and become a great leader or will others have to lead him? Is he going to be remembered as Harry Truman or more like those Senators in the 1960's who walked a fine line attempting to appease all sides in that great epic struggle for civil rights?.
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Now is the time, Mr. President for you to lead, not tomorrow but today. We want you by our sides. If not, you will be the one that will always be remembered for standing on the sidelines without courage. With or without your leadership, nothing is going to stop our inevitable march to freedom.
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As always, David has a wonderful way with words. And what he says is true - does Obama want to be remembered as a bold leader or a cowardly follower?
1 comment:
Republican Governor Schwarzanegger, and judges nominated by Reagan and Nixon should provide cover and, indeed, pressure on our "fierce advocate. He has deferred so much to legistlative branches it is time for him to wrap himself in the Constitution as Respublican judges have interpreted it. (I am vehemently agreeing with you and suggesting a tack for your upcoming meeting.)
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