No matter what you think about the Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest LGBT lobbying organization scored a big get when it was announced this week that President Barack Obama will deliver the evening's keynote address at its annual dinner. Coming the night before the National Equality March, Obama's appearance at the HRC gala has injected some much-needed publicity into the march, although the president won't be in attendance at that event. While the gay press and blogs have spilled lots of ink over the march – pro: this is just what the community needs; con: this is just what the community doesn't need – the event hasn't been on the radar of most mainstream media outlets – until now.
The march also benefits from the buzz generated by last weekend's Saturday Night Live zinger of an opening skit that portrayed Obama as not accomplishing any of the dozen or so goals that were listed on a chart, including repeal of the military's anti-gay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The sketch undoubtedly made some diehard Obama supporters uncomfortable, but if you believe, as we do, that Obama is moving too slowly on a number of campaign promises, it struck a chord.
After all, the goal of march organizers is for: full and equal protection for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.
Even with a Democratic president and Democrats in control of the House and Senate, the glacial pace on LGBT bills is frustrating and disappointing.
Regarding the president's speech at the HRC gala, he needs to say more than the comments he made at the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Stonewall back in June. Since then, LGBT legislation has moved forward, albeit slowly, in Congress. An inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act was introduced in the Senate in August (the House version was introduced in June) and the hate crimes law is nearing a final vote (it is attached to a defense bill).
One of the most frustrating things to us are the mixed messages from the administration and Congress on repealing DADT. The routine is now familiar and almost comical. Someone in Congress, an administration official, or someone in the military will offer up a comment suggesting quicker movement on a repeal effort, only to be shot down days later by someone higher up the chain of command.
In fact, that exact scenario played out last week. First, there were reports in the press about an essay by Air Force Colonel Om Prakash that was published in Joint Force Quarterly which argued forcefully for repealing the policy. Interestingly, the Pentagon journal is read by top military brass and the essay was reviewed prior to publication by the office of Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The article, according to published reports, details DADT's high cost – an estimated 12,500 gay men and lesbians have been discharged since the policy took effect in 1993 – and argues that DADT actually undermines the unit cohesion that it has sought to protect. Within days of news about the article, however, Obama's national security adviser, General James Jones, declined to answer, when asked by CNN's John King, whether now is the time to repeal DADT.
"The president has an awful lot on his desk. I know this is an issue that he intends to take on at the appropriate time," Jones said.
To his credit, King pressed on, "No idea when the right time is?"
"I don't think it's going to be – it's not years, but I think it will be teed up appropriately," Jones answered.
In other words, more delay from the Pentagon.
What we'd like to hear from the president on Saturday is his commitment to equal federal rights for same-sex couples, and his plan to make that a reality. We'd also like to hear a specific timetable for repealing DADT, which has broad public support.
To be sure, there have been some small accomplishments in the first nine months of the Obama administration. Some benefits have been extended to the same-sex partners of federal (civilian) employees, although not health insurance, the most important one. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded to the late Harvey Milk and tennis great Billie Jean King. Obama issued the first LGBT Pride proclamation since 2000. And just last week, Obama's statement on Family Day included a nod to same-sex couples.
But these are small potatoes in the big scheme of things. We have been waiting for more than a decade for a president to undo the damage caused by previous administrations.
The time for symbolic acts and words is over. We want action now.