President Obama's speech last week to the Muslim world proves one thing: he can deliver an address that is thoughtful, nuanced, and contextual while at the same time making clear that the United States has various commitments and interests abroad. At nearly an hour, his speech in Cairo pointed out historical differences that exist between peoples and called on the various political factions to work toward the bigger picture of peace in the Middle East.
It was vintage Obama.
Afterwards, sampling reaction from around the world, we heard that some Muslims appreciated Obama's speech, but wanted more action instead of words. We couldn't help but nod to ourselves in agreement because the LGBT community feels similarly.
The reaction to the speech, both positive and negative, left us wondering, where is his speech for us? Openly gay Washington Post opinion writer Jonathan Capehart made the point in a blog posting last week, calling on Obama to give a speech on gay rights: "He has proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. But to make that declaration more than a token gesture, what he needs to do is deliver an address on gay rights akin to his landmark speeches on the Middle East, national security, abortion, and race. Stating clearly that gays and lesbians should and will be able to claim full title to the American Dream, and all its promise, could go a long way," Capehart wrote.
We agree.
While occupying the largest bully pulpit in the world, Obama needs to speak out on gay rights. Now. He alone can help begin a national conversation to jumpstart what can only be described as foot dragging by Congress over equal rights legislation. Arguably the easiest bill, the hate crimes legislation, likely won't come up for a vote in the Senate for months, and now it will be made an amendment to another bill. Not to mention inaction so far on employment protections, gays serving openly in the military, and of course, the odious Defense of Marriage Act, which denies equal federal benefits to same-sex couples.
The president must expend some political capital on the LGBT community. And he must knock down the misleading and false arguments made by those who oppose equal rights while at the same time forcefully state the case that LGBT Americans deserve no less than full equality.
Regarding same-sex marriage, which Obama says he doesn't support, the president can still deliver on his campaign promises to repeal DOMA and support equal federal rights for lesbian and gay couples. He has stated that regulating marriage should be left to the states. Well, now six months into his presidency, six states have established same-sex marriage. Add to that the other states, including California, that have other forms of recognition for same-sex couples and it is becoming quite clear that the federal government must provide benefits to these families.
Immigration reform, an issue that the president wants to move forward, provides another striking example. Such reform must include changes in immigration laws for same-sex couples to prevent them from being torn apart.
Soon the administration and Congress will begin work on health care reform. Again, the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities must be included in those discussions and have a role in the resulting legislation. Access to health care for all is a necessary right for a productive society, and we need to be part of that.
In short, Obama can lead or he can follow. Last year, when he gave his speech on race in Philadelphia, it helped him secure the Democratic nomination for president. He took on a tough topic, race in America, and rose above the often-polarizing views on the issue that has divided the country for decades.
He can do the same thing for us. He knows gay people and works with them every day. As a constitutional law professor, he surely realizes that separate is not equal. People shouldn't lose their jobs because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. People living with HIV/AIDS shouldn't be without access to health care (and AIDS is not a "gay" disease, it affects people of every race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation). Gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve their country openly and honestly in the armed forces. Same-sex couples and their families shouldn't be denied benefits because of who they love.
That's what we'd like to hear from our president.