There are just 209 days until January 20, 2009. Finally, after eight years of destructive, incompetent leadership the George W. Bush era will be over.
And we will have the chance to move into a new, progressive era with an inspiring Democratic leader as our president.
Imagine all the things that could happen with a Democratic president. Overturning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and ending discrimination against LGBT Americans in uniform. Repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and ending federal discrimination against LGBT families. Passing a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and ending discrimination against all LGBT Americans in the workplace.
To make these dreams a reality, we all need to work together to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States.
Staying divided, or more importantly, staying home, only gives us one outcome: President John McCain and more of George Bush's failed policies.
Many in our community campaigned hard to elect Hillary Clinton president because we believed her fighting spirit, determination, and life experience – including as first lady, senator, and an advocate for the rights of children – made her the best candidate for America. Clinton's years of work to ensure health care coverage for all Americans is unmatched by anyone else in the race. Without a doubt, Clinton has shattered the proverbial glass ceiling and made 18 million voters proud.
Former Senator John Edwards gave voice to working class America and the 37 million Americans who live in poverty. Edwards's background as the up-by-his-bootstraps, son of a mill worker made him the ideal candidate to champion these and other important issues, helping to return our party to its roots fighting for the less fortunate. His wife Elizabeth's speech and announcement on Pride Day in 2007 at the Alice B. Toklas breakfast in favor of equal marriage rights advanced the LGBT civil rights movement.
And Senator Barack Obama has blazed a path that serves as an inspiration to hundreds of millions from around the world, drawing an entire new generation into the democratic process and creating the opportunity to rebuild America and our global alliances destroyed by the Republicans' disastrous attempt at foreign policy.
Without a doubt, our party has been strengthened from this historic race ... a race that did not end after a handful of state primaries, but was competitive in every state in the nation, energizing voters who had never before felt important to our Democratic primary process. Hundreds of thousands of new, active participants – rally attendees, phone bankers, precinct walkers, contributors and, most importantly, voters – now count themselves as Democrats thanks to the talent of all of the Democratic primary candidates. Even many of those who remain registered with other parties are voting with us, based on our party's leadership on the substantive issues impacting our country. We have seen this occur all across America, as voters from Iowa to Pennsylvania to Georgia to Washington are shaking off the failure of the Bush administration and are and preparing to take our country back.
When, not if, we continue to keep this level of energy up and fight for an Obama presidency we will support the equality of all Americans and will be able to end the era of policies that further do violence to us and our families.
What would our country's military look like after President Obama repeals DADT? Currently, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network estimates that every single day two highly-trained, devoted Americans are fired as a result of DADT. Thousands of lives have been ruined by this policy and it weakens our national security. This, in the middle of a war, when we are struggling to recruit and retain qualified individuals to our military. While some of us may not choose to serve our country in this way, those who do should be able to do so openly and proudly. Obama has been clear – the only test should be a sense of duty and an ongoing willingness and capacity to serve, not one's sexual orientation. McCain will undermine and weaken our national security by continuing to discriminate in our military.
And how about when President Obama fully and unequivocally repeals DOMA? This issue is especially timely given the recent California Supreme Court ruling. While California may recognize the importance and equality of our relationships, under DOMA, the federal government denies gay and lesbian families 1,138 rights and responsibilities. DOMA's discrimination is pervasive, impacting our lives in areas as wide-ranging as access to health care, taxation, Social Security survivor benefits, violence prevention, immigration, adoption, and the health and safety of our children. This discriminatory law must be repealed and President Obama will do just that. McCain supports DOMA and would increase discrimination with additional state versions.
And just imagine what it would be like to get an inclusive ENDA passed. Thousands of LGB, and yes, T people will not have to suffer discrimination without recourse ever again. All of us will be able to find jobs and housing without fear. In Illinois, Obama sponsored a fully inclusive anti-discrimination law that included both sexual orientation and gender identity. A subsequent version of that bill was later enacted as the Illinois Human Rights Act, now one of the most progressive laws of its kind in the country. While the U.S. House of Representatives has not yet passed a bill that includes gender identity, Obama helped to make it happen in Illinois.
Other factors to consider: Jobs and the economy. Home foreclosures. Iraq. Iran. Health care. The Supreme Court. Immigration reform. Reproductive rights. This list goes on. And with each issue, the distinction between the balanced Democratic positions and the failed Republican positions becomes ever clearer. Simply put, as a nation and as a people, we cannot afford a continuation of the Bush agenda with McCain as president. Do not be fooled by the seeming irreverent, independent, charming McCain – we will have more years of Bush-style politics.
So, let's work like we've never done before. Let's travel to swing states to convince those who have yet to understand the importance of the November election. Let's ensure we have no regrets come Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Why? This race presents a historic opportunity: the opportunity to elect a candidate who has stood up for LGBT equality boldly and courageously for his entire career in public office. His singular ability to inspire unity and support across communities is why we support Barack Obama. Yes We Can!
Rebecca Prozan serves on Barack Obama's national LGBT leadership committee. Jeff Soukup co-chaired Californians for John Edwards and now works with Obama's national finance team. Laura Spanjian served on Senator Clinton's LGBT national leadership committee. Now, all three co-chair Bay Area LGBTs for Obama.