Gays, Lesbians defecting to Obama, who is for FULL REPEAL of Defense of Marriage Act, Clinton is NOT

[Dems Will Win]

Obama supports the FULL REPEAL of the Defense of Marriage Act, A Republican bill signed by Bill Clinton that prohibits Federal recognition of same-sex marrieage. Senator Hillary Clinton only wants to repeal parts of the law on benefits but let the DOMA legislation basically stand!

Gays and lesbians are now defecting to Obama over the Defense of Marriage issue, and TX and OH both have significant gay and lesbian populations.

Gay leader slams Sen. Clinton on record

PlanetOut Network
published Wednesday, February 22, 2006

The executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda gay rights group has described Sen. Hillary Clinton as "a complete disappointment," raising the prospect that some in the LGBT community may stop supporting her political career due to her opposition to same-sex marriage.

In a memo Alan Van Capelle sent to his board members, the gay leader refused to "lend my name and sell tickets" to any fund-raiser for Clinton's Senate re-election campaign. Van Capelle said supporting such fund-raisers for Clinton would "actually hurt" the LGBT community. The memo was published on the Politicker Web site of The New York Observer.

"It will send a message to other elected officials that you can be working against us during this critical time and not suffer a negative pushback from the gay community," Van Capelle said. "We have become a community that throws money at politicians, and we demand nothing in return. And that's what we get: nothing. It's the wrong message to send," he said.

Joe Tarver, spokesman for the Empire State Pride Agenda, told the PlanetOut Network the memo "was a confidential communication between the executive director and the board."

He added that "We're getting an enormous amount of positive responses and no negative responses."

Clinton opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions between members of the same sex. During her husband's administration, she supported the Defense of Marriage Act, a law preventing the federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/02/22/4

GAYS, LESBIANS DEFECTING TO OBAMA

Both Clinton, 60, and Obama oppose same-sex marriages while supporting civil unions. A major difference between the candidates is that Obama supports full repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, a law signed by Bill Clinton -- under pressure from a Republican-dominated Congress -- that prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages and permits states to do the same. Hillary Clinton wants to roll back only part of the law.

``That's a big deal,'' said Eric Stern, who joined Obama's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender policy-advisory group after heading former candidate Edwards's gay steering committee. More than half of the members of that 49-member group are now backing Obama, Stern said.

While many gay and lesbian voters remain loyal Clinton supporters, Mixner said, others remain angry over her previous support of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Some also still tie her to the military's ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy instituted during her husband's presidency, which reversed a campaign pledge he made to allow gays to serve openly.

...

On the eve of last month's Martin Luther King Day, Obama called on blacks to begin examining attitudes toward gays and lesbians. ``If we are honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community hasn't always been true to King's vision of a beloved community,'' he said Jan. 20 at King's Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

...

Both campaigns are targeting gay voters in the showdown Texas and Ohio primaries. In Texas, Clinton support still runs strong, said Jesse Garcia, 36, head of the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, the national gay and lesbian organization's biggest chapter in the state and the third-largest in the country.

``There's a real allegiance to Hillary,'' said Garcia, whose group endorsed Clinton last week.

In Ohio, meanwhile, Clinton's campaign formally launched a statewide committee this week to spearhead get-out-the-vote efforts in gay areas of Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus.

Obama has countered with full-page advertisements in gay publications in Texas and Ohio. The message is being heard, said Patrick King, 44, a private nurse from Houston who cared for the late Lloyd Bentsen, the former senator and Bill Clinton's first Treasury secretary.

``I was with Hillary until I heard Obama speak on TV about a month ago,'' King said. ``I thought, `Wow, this guy is really sincere.'''

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080229/pl_bloomberg/a_wg4hpi71wu

Clinton's stance on DOMA:

she distances herself from a central plank of DOMA -- its bar on the federal recognition of same-sex marriages -- but not from the portion which allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.


CLINTON'S ANSWER TO A GAY GROUP'S QUESTIONNAIRE:

"I support repealing the provision of DOMA that may prohibit the federal government from providing benefits to people in states that recognize same sex marriage. I strongly support ensuring people in stable, long-term same sex relationships have full equality of benefits, rights, and responsibilities," she writes.

Clinton spokeman Phil Singer adds, "Sen. Clinton backed the Defense of Marriage Act because it enabled us to fend off right wing attacks like the Federal Marriage Amendment by keeping marriage as the purview of the states. She believes DOMA served an important purpose in that respect. Marriage should be left up to the states.

"She has also long believed in the need for full equality of benefits for same sex couples, and believes the federal government should recognize civil unions. It was not until Massachusetts passed its law that it became clear that those in civil unions could receive better treatment under DOMA than gay and lesbian couples in Massachusetts who have gotten married, and therefore, that aspect of DOMA makes little sense to her. However, she still affirms the general principle of DOMA that marriage should be left up to each state. "

I'd add that the state-by-state aspect is one general principle, one that's widely supported among Democrats; but another, perhaps more important, is the bar on federal recognition of same-sex marriage. That's what Clinton just walked away from.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0607/Hillary_repudiates_DOMA.html

PLEASE RECOMMEND IF THIS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES IS IMPORTANT TO YOU

[KLee]

1. K & R & Rec

Thank you for the information.

[maddiejoan]

2. :yawn:

Big deal.

Here's the difference.

I don't believe Obama will do any such thing.

He's already said it's "just as important" to listen to homophobes.

He's going to be plenty busy trying to 'convince' them that Homosexuuuuality isn't a SIN, he won't even have time for repealing of DOMA.

If anything --he'll wind up inspiring a huge backlash against LGBT rights, simply by sending the signal that these bigotted nutjobs have a legit POV.

Obama might win the Presidency --but mark my words --he will be a disaster for LGBT rights.

[NJSecularist]

3. Don't let your hatred of Obama cloud your judgement

He has fought for GLBT rights in the Illinois State Senate, the U.S. Senate, and he will continue to do it if he is elected president.

[maddiejoan]

4. Let me clue you in

There is a REASON I don't support Obama.

It's his empty rhetoric on LGBT issues.

I don't hate Obama.

I just don't trust him --and HE has supplied the reasons for that distrust. Not me.

[NJSecularist]

7. Let's be honest. It's not a few reason(s).

It's one reason. Donnie McClurkin. And yes, he did make a mistake in judgment. He has apologized for associating himself with such a terrible person. It's a blemish on his record. But if you look closer at his record, instead of magnifying one specific instance, you will see that he has fought for LGBT rights in the Illinois Senate and the U.S. Senate. He is the only candidate who wants to repeal the DOMA. Hillary won't even commit to that. What does that say about her commitment to LGBT rights?

[ruggerson]

9. It is a few reasons

see here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4826450&mesg_id=4826450

and you're mistaken about DOMA. They have a tactical difference on which part to repeal.

[maddiejoan]

12. It says Hillary

actually understands the complexities of the issues, and has an achievable plan on how to get us there.

and it's not just Donnie McClurkin --that's merely symptomatic of the many red flags I've seen about Obama on LGBT issues.

Big deal --he signed his name to co-sponsor a few bills in a liberal district in Illinois.
I see nothing he has done that makes me believe his empty rhetoric, and several reasons why I don't.

'Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise
on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to
the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward
together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.' --Barack Obama.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/alexokrent/gGggJS

Sorry. The stone-aged opinion of religious bigots is NOT just as important as the cries of those in need of equal rights.
He might not compromise on his commitment to LGBT rights --but I have serious doubts as to how big a commitment that even is.

[Dems Will Win]

35. Does she REALLY understand? Seems the Constitutional Law Educator knows better:

"I want to repeal Sec. 3 of D.O.M.A., which stands in the way of the extension of benefits to people in committed same-sex marriages, and, you know, I will be very strongly in favor of doing that as president," Clinton said Thursday during a presidential candidates’ forum sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign in Los Angeles.

While Clinton supports equalizing the provision of federal benefits, she opposes full D.O.M.A. repeal.

"She believes marriage should be left up to the states," said Clinton spokesman Phil Singer.

Obama, by contrast, views D.O.M.A. as "an abhorrent law" and he has accused those in Congress who passed D.O.M.A. as only having been interested in "perpetuating division and affirming a wedge issue," according to a 2004 statement that he gave to the Windy City Times, a gay newspaper in Chicago. Believing that D.O.M.A. is not needed to protect states from having to recognize marriages that are contrary to their own public policy, Obama has broken with his top-tier rivals in taking the controversial step of calling for a complete D.O.M.A. repeal.

While the Illinois Democrat has been calling for D.O.M.A. repeal since 2004, this was not always his position.

When he began his campaign for U.S. Senate, he told a group called Independent Voters of Illinois -- Independent Precinct Organization that he supported D.O.M.A. He then switched to an anti-D.O.M.A. position on Feb. 11, 2004, as the March 2004 Illinois Democratic primary drew near. According to Obama’s staff, the Illinois Democrat changed positions mid-campaign because he heard from gay friends how hurtful D.O.M.A. was.

Obama, who taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago, rejects Kmiec’s argument about the potential consequences of full D.O.M.A. repeal.

"The Full Faith and Credit Clause does not prevent a state from refusing to recognize a marriage that is contrary to its own marriage laws," said Obama in October 2004, according to a Chicago Tribune clip provided by his campaign.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/08/would-obama-pos.html

[maddiejoan]

53. You mean the Constitutional Law Educator

That revealed in his last debate that he went along with the GOP on Schiavo, even though as a Constitutional scholar that he knew it was wrong?

Only thing Obama has proved to me is that he knows better --and doesn't care.

[woolldog]

11. nt

[maddiejoan]

15. You have poor reading comprehension

I don't hate Obama.

[woolldog]

18. nt

[maddiejoan]

19. Should have waited for an appropriate post

I'm not a hater.

[Dems Will Win]

34. He stood up to Pace -- was that empty rhetoric?

Senator Obama Condemns General Pace’s Anti-Gay Comments

On a less positive note, General Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and President Bush’s top military advisor made some hurtful remarks regarding gay and lesbian members of the military. In comments to the Chicago Tribune, General Pace said "I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts." Pace also expressed his support for continuing the military’s Clinton era policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Senator Obama quickly condemned Pace’s comments and reiterated his call for abolishing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”



Senator Obama’s full statement: "General Pace's comments were wrong and they play into a politics of fear that divides our nation instead of uniting us. Gay and lesbian service members are honorably fighting and dying on behalf of our nation overseas, and they deserve the full support of their military leaders. Not only is it a moral imperative, but it's in our security interest, to allow gays and lesbians to openly serve and protect America."

[JackORoses]

60. but you do trust the People responsible for signing DOMA into law

How can you live with such internal contradiction?

[maddiejoan]

64. Easy

I support HILLARY Clinton

[ruggerson]

6. I don't hate Obama

but I dislike his supporters telling out and out lies to try to garner support.

[hulklogan]

10. Thank you, straight people, for telling me the right opinion to take.

What would us crazy GLBT Americans do without all the nice straight people out there who so kindly tell us what to believe?

:silly:

[terrya]

14. Fuck it. Nobody around here gives a shit about these issues, anyway.

[maddiejoan]

17. Hope that's all

My chief concern is that he has legitimized a hateful bigoted POV, by signaling it has equal weight.

That, to me, is a very dangerous game --and I wouldn't be surprised to see a spike in anti-gay violence in an Obama administration.

He has already set a very bad tone.

[cali]

21. You don't have a crystal ball

and saying he'd be a disaster for LGBT rights is laughable when you look at his record. You've already said you won't vote for him if he's the nominee, and to me that says you don't care as much as you profess. If you did, you wouldn't sit back and not vote. He will be running against John McCain who truly will be a disaster for GLBT issues.

[maddiejoan]

23. and I live in New York

which will safely go for whichever Democratic nominee we have.

I have a choice --make a statement I believe in --or vote for someone who I don't trust with my best interests, and allow my vote to be taken for granted.

[UALRBSofL]

38. Maddie I'm sure you realize Obama said in a debate a few months ago

he was in favor of DOMA. A week ago I listened to a Hillary campaign rally where she said she would repeal DOMA and believed in same sex marriage. Now, do you really think Obama is pandering for every single vote? NAFTA and Canada, Finance Campaign in the GE for starters. You get the idea.

[ruggerson]

5. Please name a few "defectors" listed in these articles

who moved from supporting Hillary to supporting Obama.

Besides the nurse from Houston.

Name a couple.

[Dems Will Win]

20. Here -- from the article

``Obama has presented more detailed position papers on gay and lesbian issues than Clinton,'' said David Mixner, 61, a writer and activist who helped longtime friend Bill Clinton win over the gay and lesbian vote during the 1992 presidential race and who supported both of Hillary Clinton's successful Senate races in New York.

`The Young Reformer'

This time, Mixner is backing Obama. The Clintons have become ``a machine, and Obama's the young reformer,'' said Mixner, who joined Obama's campaign after initially supporting former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, 54, who dropped out of the Democratic race last month.

Musician Melissa Etheridge, who came out as a lesbian in 1993 at President Bill Clinton's Triangle Ball, the first ever inaugural event for gay men and lesbians, said earlier this month that she is backing Obama.

Hollywood mogul David Geffen, a one-time supporter of Bill Clinton, also is backing Obama. The openly gay Geffen, co-founder of the DreamWorks SKG movie studio, held a $1.3 million fundraiser for Obama last year.

[hulklogan]

22. I don't see any phraseology that shows that these people ever supported Hillary Clinton

Bill Clinton, yes. But not Hillary.

[Dems Will Win]

25. Um "who supported both of Hillary Clinton's successful Senate races in New York."

[hulklogan]

26. Um that does not say "supported Hillary Clinton's race for the Democratic nomination"

:shrug:

[hulklogan]

29. Furthermore, David Mixner was an Edwards supporter before he "defected" to Obama

from his own blog:

http://www.davidmixner.com/2007/11/the-debate-john.html

[ruggerson]

28. Neither Mixner, Geffen nor Etheridge ever supported Hillay for president

so, let me ask you again.

Who has defected in these articles?

Other than one nurse in Houston?

[Dems Will Win]

32. Here is the Gay City News! From NYC

Gay City New endorses Barack Obama.

Read More...
The Illinois senator has spoken of a politics of hope and change, not surprisingly given a life that has included a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, a term as president of the Harvard Law Review and a job as a community organizer on the streets of Chicago.

Obama is a relative newcomer to the national scene, and it is not unfair to ask that he explain as clearly as possible how his skills, experience, and vision qualify him for the toughest job on earth. He deserves kudos for his courage in standing up against the rush to war in Iraq at a time when conventional political wisdom counseled a would-be national figure to do otherwise. He will serve the nation well if he can articulate a comprehensive approach not only toward the mess in Iraq but also the broader and more explosive question of America's standing in the entire Islamic world.

In his recent comments about what Ronald Reagan offered to Americans hungry for optimism and new ideas, Obama ought to have made more clear his understanding that at critical moments the hope for unity cannot substitute for hard choices. This newspaper was probably tougher on Obama than anyone else was for his ill-considered decision to call on Donnie McClurkin - a so-called "ex-gay" gospel singer vitriolic in his attacks on the LGBT community - to reach out to churchgoing African-American communities in South Carolina. We are counting on him to make wiser choices in future efforts to "build bridges" - and on that score applaud the loving words about his "gay brothers and sisters" Obama enunciated from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Atlanta pulpit last week.

The McClurkin episode, unfortunate as it was, pales in comparison to the divisiveness that Senator Clinton has allowed her campaign to devolve into. Her comparison between the roles played by Dr. King and President Lyndon Johnson in advancing civil rights can be chalked up to inartfulness. The comments coming from her surrogates are far more disturbing, forming a pattern that sadly can no longer be ignored.

Three Clintonites - the husband of former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen, Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson, and, most damningly, key strategist Mark Penn - all injected Obama's acknowledged youthful cocaine use into the debate. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo inexplicably used the phrase "shuck and jive" in describing what a presidential candidate might try to pull with the media, and then had his operatives bombard the press with official umbrage that his words might be construed as targeting the African-American senator.

Nobody, however, has been more egregious than Bill Clinton. In his ardent championing of his wife, the former president has dissed Obama as "a kid" and this past Saturday was quick to mention Jesse Jackson's 1984 and 1988 South Carolina primary wins to contextualize Obama's commanding victory.

Notwithstanding the role of BET's Johnson and the ardent support for the New York senator from towering African-American members of Congress such as Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters, the Clinton campaign's intent is clear - Barack Obama, after his strong showing with white voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, must be marginalized as the "black candidate," or Hillary runs the risk of losing.

That is unacceptable, and the LGBT community should lend its voice to a growing progressive chorus in turning its back on this kind of politics. For us, winning in the ghetto is no longer good enough - not for blacks, not for gays, not for anyone.

There is a great deal we admire about Hillary Clinton, and our conclusion about the direction of her campaign is arrived at with a heavy heart. Should she prevail in the nomination fight, we have hope that the better angels of her nature will come to the fore in the fall campaign.

But at this moment we put our faith in the hope that remains undimmed. We urge a vote for Barack Obama.

[Dems Will Win]

33. Here from Steve Nicks, once on HRC Board of Governors, in the Blade:

Steven Nicks, managing Director of Fourth Sector Investments, has served as a member of HRC's Board of Governors and is an elected official in New York City, serving on the Democratic County Committee. He co-developed this opinion piece with the Obama NY Leadership team, including David Alport, Jason Haas, Peter Teague, and Maxim Thorne.

Barack Obama Champions Gay Rights on the Campaign Trail

By Steven Nicks, with David Alport, Jason Haas, Peter Teague and Maxim Thorne
Friday, January 25, 2008

ON JAN. 20, THE eve of Martin Luther King Day, Sen. Barack Obama stood before Rev. King’s home church in Atlanta and proudly set forth his vision for achieving progressive change and unity in America. In that historic speech, Barack challenged his audience to examine their own prejudices. “If we are honest with ourselves,” he said, “we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King’s vision of a beloved community. We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them.” He continued:

“So let us say that on this day of all days, each of us carries with us the task of changing our hearts and minds. The division, the stereotypes, the scapegoating, the ease with which we blame our plight on others—all of this distracts us from the common challenges we face: war and poverty; injustice and inequality. We can no longer afford to build ourselves up by tearing someone else down. We can no longer afford to traffic in lies or fear or hate. It is the poison that we must purge from our politics; the wall that we must tear down before the hour grows too late.”

This extraordinary act—including the LGBT community in a message delivered in the very heartland of the Civil Rights Movement—was merely the latest chapter in Barack’s advocacy on behalf of LGBT Americans. Among all the candidates in this race, only Barack Obama included gays and lesbians as participants in the American Dream when announcing his decision to run for President. Only Barack has regularly talked about LGBT equality on the campaign trail, even when the audience was not LGBT-friendly. Barack has been changing hearts and minds, and the visibility he has given to LGBT equality is unprecedented.

Barack’s commitment to LGBT rights is also manifest in his record of accomplishment, which extends throughout his 11 years in public office on every issue of concern to our community. From relationships and families to workplace discrimination to bold policies on HIV/AIDS, the Senator’s commitment is unmatched by any candidate. He has proven that he has the character to stand up for principle when the going gets tough.

Barack has supported the complete, unqualified repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act since he was a candidate for Senate. He has taken stronger positions on dismantling Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and on fully inclusive workplace protections than any candidate in this race. Barack is a strong supporter of every major piece of LGBT legislation in Congress today, from fair tax treatment and equal immigration rights to domestic partner benefits for federal workers. In contrast to Barack’s leadership, we find it troubling that Sen. Hillary Clinton refuses to call for the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, legislation that was signed into law by then-President Clinton.

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. The U.S. House of Representatives was not able to pass a bill that included gender identity. Barack helped make it happen in Illinois.

FIGHTING THE SPREAD of HIV and securing fully funded, accessible treatment for people with HIV or AIDS have always been top priorities for Obama. He understands that the fight against HIV/AIDS requires an approach that is bold enough to set national standards and benchmarks for progress and deep enough to address the forces of poverty, racism, homophobia and unequal access to health care that all contribute to the spread of the disease. Barack has sponsored the Microbicide Development Act to fund research critical to combating HIV/AIDS in the United States and around the world. He spoke out on World AIDS Day to an audience of evangelical leaders at Saddleback Church, publicly disagreeing with the leaders in attendance who opposed condom distribution. Obama has always insisted that our approach to HIV/AIDS be guided by the expertise of scientists, health-care professionals and direct service providers who know what works, rather than by politics and ideology.

In Illinois, Barack worked to enact a law that authorizes licensed pharmacists to provide clean needles in small, controlled numbers, a reform that is credited with achieving dramatic declines in the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users. In Congress, he has supported efforts to lift the ban on federal funding for regulated needle exchange programs that are proven to work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Experience demonstrates that these programs save lives and protect the public without promoting illegal drug use, but getting them passed requires political courage. Barack has shown that courage.

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. In 2008, we deserve nothing less.

[ruggerson]

47. What does any of this have to do with people supposedly "defecting"

when they haven't?

[hulklogan]

8. I'm not drinking the kool-aid until Senator Obama shows his support for GLBT rights with actions

He can proclaim his queer-positive attitude all he wants but I just can't trust him until I see some action. Where was he when ENDA was dropped from the defense appropriations bill? Why hasn't he sponsored or introduced a bill to end DOMA and DADT already? Why hasn't he loudly advocated immigration and tax reform that ends the penalties on unmarried couples?

Every other GLBT American can proclaim their support for Senator Obama, but I'm not so quick to trust. Don't just tell us you love us, Senator Obama. Show us!

[paulk]

13. Clinton's and Obama's positions on DOMA are essentially

the same.

Clinton does not support the appeal of section two, which covers the right of states to make their own laws regarding same sex marriage. She supports this right in order to forestall a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages nationwide.


Obama believes that the rights of states to define their own laws in this matter is already covered by the constitution - and that states already have the descretion to ignore other state's laws.

That's hardly a ringing endorsement of gay marriage.


And neither of these two candidates really wants this issue on the front burner, since it is one of those hot button issues that tends to get the religious right to the voting booth.

[bicentennial_baby]

16. Interesting, thanks for the info

[joeybee12]

24. As a gay person, I've never found that what these organizations have

to say really speak to the gay community as a whole...serioiusly, I couldn't tell you who is in favor of what and whom, and I rally don't care to know because gay political organizations are political organizations, and they're hedging their bets.

BTW, BO may be in favor of repealing DOMA...but will he really...and I mean really...try? He won't get the votes in the House or Senate...even Paul Wellstone voted for DOMA

[NMMNG]

27. One nurse defects from HRC and I'm supposed to be impressed?

What. ever.

[ruggerson]

30. He's a very important nurse apparently

They've cited him here on DU about ten times in a day.

[NMMNG]

31. I guess he is

Maybe I'll just have to vote for Obama then, like a good little lemming.

[Dems Will Win]

36. How about this?

Obama was compared to a rock star at the LGBT forum and received a strong welcome from the crowd.
He acknowledged his experience as an African American, and how it helps him relate to the LGBT community. "When you are a black guy named Barack Obama, you know what it’s like to be on the outside." He also said, "It is important not to look at the black candidate and wonder whether or not he’s going to be more sympathetic, or less sympathetic to these issues. I’m going to be more sympathetic not because I’m black, but because this has been the cause of my life and will continue to be the cause of my life making sure that everybody is treated fairly and we have an expansive view of America, where everybody is invited in and we are all working together to create the kind of America we want for the next generation.”

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/08/10/312276.aspx

[NMMNG]

37. You have got to be kidding me

When I first found out Obama was running for president I actually thought he might be a strong advocate for LGBT rights because of his being black and knowing what it's like to be shat upon by bigots. Little did I know that he was going to use homophobia against us as a tool to further his political career, then have the audacity to later come pandering to us with bullshit claims that he'll work on our behalf and outrageous crap about how "we" have come a long way since the Stonewall Riots. What a crock.

[Dems Will Win]

39. Seems you're holding a grudge about McClurkin while Hillary is set against you on the issues

Not smart.

How can you support her when she is only against repeal of DOMA for political reasons instead of doing what is RIGHT?

Sheesh!

[terrya]

40. It's "McClurkin"

I know you don't care about it, but try to spell his name correctly if you want to mention him. Thanks.

[NMMNG]

42. Meh

I've noticed that most of the people here who want to shit all over us for caring about our rights can't even spell his name right. That just goes to show how much they give a damn about us.

[Dems Will Win]

45. If you don't want to repeal DOMA how can you say you care about your rights?

Doesn't make much sense...

[NMMNG]

48. Who says I don't?

:shrug:

You ASSume too much.

[terrya]

49. Like that asshole last night

Same goddamned thing. Not do they don't give a shit, they are proud of their indifference.

[NMMNG]

52. It's easy for them to be that way

They're not the ones being fucked over.

It's going to come back and bite them on the ass, however, sooner or later.

[Dems Will Win]

43. Thanks for catching the TYPO

[Dems Will Win]

44. Thanks for catching the TYPO

changed it to the correct spellling that I of course knew

[Dems Will Win]

51. I kind of like "McGlurkin", however.

It suits him.

[NMMNG]

41. It seems you don't know much about me

But whatever.

[Dems Will Win]

55. No, but Hil's gay and Lesbian vote slipping from the 70s in NH to the 50s now might impress you

[LordJFT]

46. I keep bringing this up, its an inconvenient truth but Clinton supporters keep ignoring it

[Creideiki]

50. What's Barack's record on DOMA in Illinois or the Senate since he's been there?

Far as I know, nothing.

But, as of June, 2006, Illinois did have this:

http://uspolitics.about.com/od/gaymarriage/l/bl_gay_marriage_2006.htm

In short, I'd like to believe that there's going to be a place set at the table. I can even view more recent statements as giving some slight level of optimism. However, if he wants support from me, then he needs to reciprocate.

[AntiFascist]

54. K&R n/t

[From The Left]

56. 100% CORRECT!

As I've been saying for months, Hillary even said in the LOGO/HRC debates that she is opposed to the repeal of DOMA. Only article #3 would be repealed if she's elected. But Barack Obama has promised to throw the whole, damned DOMA out with the trash where it belongs. Obama, gets it. Hillary, is a homophobe.

[maddiejoan]

57. really?

MIght wanna research that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4839444&mesg_id=4839444

[WillyT]

58. More...

Gay voters increasing Obama support -> http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/3/article_5658.php

Gay Clinton Backers Defect to Obama, Eroding Her Base (Update3) -> http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aBcwM9pVeUpo&refer=home

Gay Voters, Take Note -> http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/gay-voters-take-note/?ref=opinion

Hey, 'Homos,' Obama's our 'dude'! (NOT my title) -> http://www.southernvoice.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/24/08&end=3/2/08

Among others...

:shrug:

[Dems Will Win]

59. This is all true

Gay Voters, Take Note
By Chris Suellentrop

Tags: Barack Obama, Gay Rights

Andrew Sullivan is dazzled by this statement from Barack Obama to an audience in Beaumont, Texas: “I hear people saying things that I don’t think are very Christian with respect to people who are gay and lesbian.”

“Now you may have many reasons not to vote for Obama, and no gay voter should vote on one issue,” Sullivan writes on his blog, now housed at The Atlantic. “But solely with respect to gay matters, there is simply no choice here. Obama’s positions, candor, courage, generation and religious embrace of us are dispositive.”

Sullivan praises “Obama’s clear support and understanding of gay people and willingness to support our dignity at times and in places where others have not. I’ve seen it unprompted in private and unapologetically in public.” He continues:

I never saw it in the Clinton years, and Clinton herself is a victim of the defensive crouch that has immobilized progress at the national level for a decade or more. The current Washington set-up is broken. If you haven’t seen that these past few years, you have blinders on. It doesn’t deliver ­ and won’t, without a president who actually believes that gay people deserve full equality. Yes, it’s partly generational ­ Obama sees gay people in a way Clinton never will, as a function of her age and background. But it’s also, it seems to me, an indication that he really is a Christian. One day, it will seem as obvious that Christians should support gay equality as it is now obvious that they should have opposed segregation. What Obama does for gay people in a religious context is just as important as what he does for us in a political one. Both are vital — because it is the abuse of religion that is at the core of the hostility to gay dignity.

What Obama is doing on the gay issue has the potential transform it and help us as a society to move past it. No, he’s not a savior. No, we shouldn’t expect miracles. No, we should never delegate the work of our equality to anyone else. We, after all, are the ones we’ve been waiting for. But within the Democratic contest, the case for backing Obama at this point in time is, to my mind, urgent, vital, historic.

Gay Americans must not throw this chance away.

PLUS THIS COMMENT:

This is the first time I have read about a politician speaking courageously on the unfortunate and widespread fear and disapproval of homosexuality which riddles the country. Even John Edwards, from whom one would expect more open mindedness danced around it. It has been the politicians, having seen President Clinton burned by his initial position on gays in the military, who have backed off and not dared to poke their heads very far out on this since. .Is it possible that we have a politician here who is capable of saying loudly and clearly that the emperor has no clothes and that finally our elected power structure can support the homosexual lifestyle without double talk and head standing to appease the haters of this as well as those frightened by it? This single position, surely appalling to the Mitt Romneys and George W. Bushes of this world offers compelling proof of readiness to lead. This is a powerful voice, not only for gay voters but for all voters.

— Posted by Mike McCaffrey


http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/gay-voters-take-note/?ref=opinion

[Neshanic]

61. You should know better, neither will accomplish anything.

[Dems Will Win]

62. HEAL! Hope will change everything! I have seen it with my own eyes - African Americans I have met

recently, strangers, say they never thought they would see the day. That this means America truly is beyond its racist past, it's proof.

If hope can get Obama elected, and he's already the front-runner in the primaries because of it, I think he can take the General with hope and then really start to change the country and with it, the world.

Without hope, there can be no change. Without change, there is no hope.

[UALRBSofL]

63. 2/28/08, Obama Favors Civil Unions/DOMA

2/28/08, Obama Favors Civil Unions.
Obama on Marriage:
For the record, I opposed DOMA in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying. This is an effort to demonize people for political advantage, and should be resisted.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ART...


Obama and Edwards on DOMA: Just Say "No" and Just Say Nothing:
Two surprises: Obama reneges on his opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act and Edwards says that he would work for its repeal.
http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2007/05/obama_fl...


Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT Community:
I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment.
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/02/open_letter_from_barack...

[From The Left]

65. The Facts on DOMA Hillary's Supporters Don't Want Voters to See

Thank you for posting this.

[Robbins]

66. Clintons

Back In 1992 Bill CLinton always said he would end the ban on Gays In the Military.Once In office It didn't take him long to cave In.This Is part of the reason I have always been skeptical of what Hillary says on the campaign trail(as well as their comments and actions on Iraq before she ran for
President)

[trashcanistanista]

67. If he goes and fully repeals DOMA, then

he can do whatever he wants with Donnie McClurkin. I think most of us will agree on that.