Since he took office in January, we have called on President Barack Obama to use his bully pulpit to talk about LGBTs. Last Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign dinner he did just that. The speech was carried live on CNN and CSPAN, and covered in numerous media outlets on Sunday.
While we are disappointed that Obama didn't say anything new during his 20-minute address, it's important to note the symbolism of him speaking before 3,000 mostly LGBT people and having those remarks carried nationwide. As much as we like to think that everybody knows about the community's desire to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and pass inclusive hate crimes and employment protection laws, the reality is that outside our bubble of LGBT activism and some liberal straight allies, many people in the United States aren't aware of these important issues. Obama's remarks helped to change that for those who were watching the speech.
But the president stumbled when he spoke about repealing DADT. He merely reiterated his previous pledges to ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military and gave no timeline for when that might happen, leaving military brass free to continue stalling on this important policy matter. At this very moment the president is weighing his Afghanistan policy and considering sending 40,000 or more additional troops to the front lines. Yet gay and lesbian service members who voluntarily signed up to join a branch of the military must live in the closet or risk being discharged. What a waste of good talent, especially when it comes to the Arabic language translators, who provide key intelligence services.
Obama also missed an opportunity to back up his rhetoric with examples. In less than one month, voters in Maine and Washington state will cast ballots to determine the fate of marriage equality and domestic partnership laws, respectively.
Here's Obama at the HRC dinner: "I believe strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away and passing laws that extend equal rights to gay couples." He added that he has "called on Congress to repeal" the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents the federal government from treating any same-sex couple – in a marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership – from receiving the same rights as straight married couples.
After those comments, he could have easily stated his opposition to Maine's Question 1, which would take away the equal marriage rights that the state legislature passed earlier this year. We know, Obama says he doesn't support same-sex marriage, but this ballot measure, placed there by anti-gay activists, fits squarely with his comments that he opposes laws that take rights away.
In terms of Washington state's Referendum 71, which would roll back recently passed domestic partner rights, there is even a stronger case for Obama to speak out – domestic partner rights are not the same as marriage, and he is on record supporting civil unions, so he presumably supports DP laws.
The president is coming to San Francisco tonight (October 15) for a fundraiser that is expected to bring in $2 million for the Democrats. Yet it was reported that he wouldn't take the time to visit a school, community nonprofit, or local business because the White House fears protesters. That's just absurd. There are protests anytime a high-profile political leader visits the city, just ask the former secretary-general of the United Nations or House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco. It's part of the political landscape here. San Francisco should be used for more than just an ATM for the Democratic Party.
Bravo, governor
We were pleasantly surprised Monday morning when we learned that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed state Senator Mark Leno's bill that will create a day of special significance for the late gay rights pioneer Supervisor Harvey Milk. We challenged him to sign the law this year – after his ridiculous veto of a similar bill last year – and it looks like all the lobbying done by Equality California and other supporters paid off.
We're also glad the governor signed another of Leno's bills that resolves ambiguities about how out-of-state same-sex marriages will be recognized in California.
RIP Mister Marcus
Finally, we want to pause to remember Marcus Hernandez, the longtime leather columnist for this newspaper who died last week. Hernandez, also known by his byline "Mister Marcus," helped build the San Francisco leather community into an active force for change and compassion. Hernandez is one of the last of the old guard here at the Bay Area Reporter and he will be missed.