He mentions gay people in political speeches.
I wondered if I ever would hear a Presidential candidate say the word gay, let alone in a positive way. When Obama lists the people he looks to as the American people, the people he looks to as part of his constituency, the people he hopes will help build the future, he mentions black, white, hispanic, asian, native american, gay and straight. That last inclusion, in this list of the diverse groups that make up this country, is so important. He doesn't have to include gay people as a category. As a Democrat, he'll get his fair share of the gay vote. But he makes a point to include gay people. He sees all of us as important, and he's not afraid to make that clear. Again, he's a bold man who speaks from his core beliefs. That's not your usual politician.
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Back in 1992, Bill Clinton said that he had a vision for America, and that gay and lesbian people were part of that vision. It felt like the revolution had come. I worked hard for his campaign, and I was ecstatic when he was elected. Then, he stabbed us in the back with Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
I like Barack Obama. I will absolutely vote for him in the fall. But I wish he'd go farther than Bill Clinton -- I wish that he'd declare that we LGBT people deserve *all* of the rights and privileges that straight people enjoy. I wish he were in favor of gay marriage. I understand that that's a deal-breaker for many, but I would like to see some recognition from Obama that civil rights are non-negotiable. Either we're all encompassed by the Bill of Rights, or none of us are.
Al Sharpton supports gay marriage. So does Elizabeth Edwards. The older I get, the less tolerant I am of political triangulating. I want to hear someone with a real shot at winning the White House tell me that they believe that I am in every way their equal. I want to hear Obama say that.
Wishful thinking?
Thanks for posting, Joan. You're absolutely right. That was my first big disappointment with Bill Clinton. I also agree that "separate but equal" didn't work for people of color and doesn't work on the issue of marriage for gay and lesbian people. I get so caught up in my excitement about Obama's unabashed liberal values that I forget that he ducked on this issue. Here's hoping he shows a true understanding of equal rights for all and speaks up. Soon.
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