An Open Letter to Barack Obama

[Maddy McCall]

Mr. Obama:

Like you, we are all Americans. Like you, some of us are men. Unlike you, some of us are women. Like you, some of us are African-American. Unlike you, many of us are not African-American. Like you, some of us are tall and thin. Unlike you, some of us are short and wide. Like you, some of us have spouses, families, and children. Unlike you, some of us are still single. Like you, we are Christians. Unlike you, we are gay and lesbian and bisexual and transgender.

Your and Senator Clinton’s voting and legislative records are for the most part identical on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues and are generally supportive of basic GLBT civil, social, and legal rights and protections. Although both you and Senator Clinton decline to support gay marriage per se, it is your statements on this issue that seem alienating, divisive, and uninformed and that subtly contribute to the persistence of one of this country’s worst forms of religious persecution and social bigotry. Even the possibility that you and your platform -- wittingly or unwittingly -- may contribute to the perpetuation of bigotry and prejudice in any way against anyone is, to our sensibilities, unthinkable.

While you are careful to appear to uphold and defend the GLBT community’s basic safety and legal rights, in a March 25, 2007, Chicago Tribune story that referenced comments you made during your 2004 run for the U.S. Senate, you led off your objections to gay marriage with the statement “I'm a Christian” . On its own as a part of your personal profile or in answer to a query about your personal beliefs, this statement is both appropriate and informative. But linked to your objections about gay marriage and by extension the gay lifestyle, it serves to entrench modern attitudes of religion-based bigotry and persecution and effectively implies that “gay” and “Christian” are mutually exclusive. This is not only wrong and uninformed but also flies in the face of the most basic Christian values and beliefs of unconditional love and acceptance. There are over 500,000 GLBT Christians attending over 200 churches like my church, Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles, as well as hundreds of similar open and affirming churches all over America and around the world. We do not believe that you or anyone in thought, word, belief, or action can separate us from our religion, our faith, and our rightful place within the heart and love of Jesus Christ.

And while we recognize the sensibilities of many of our fellow Americans concerning the traditional configuration of the institution of marriage, our loving and lifetime commitments to our partners, our families, and our children cannot be diminished in heart and spirit and are fully as valuable and sacred as your own. Regardless of convention and interpretation of the word marriage, your brave new American Dream must embrace us and our loved ones as sincerely and unconditionally as you have extended it to all other segments of our society.

Considering that you represent and are clearly the preferred candidate for a majority of African-Americans, we are also concerned about the quiet but pervasive problem of homophobia among blacks -- a problem that is deeply rooted in the Christian fundamentalist context of many black churches and denominations. This undercurrent of belief-sanctioned fear and ignorance continues to divide families, separate loved ones, break hearts, and exacerbate the pathology of rejection and social alienation within the black community.

While we vigorously uphold all freedom of religious belief, we also challenge you as the candidate who professes coalition, unity, and visionary change to be willing to work for acceptance of those who appear different and to foster an understanding of the full range of diversity that is not based on personal or religious judgment. You of all people cannot forget that once upon a time not so long ago, many of those who made the case against civil rights for blacks and who condemned interracial marriage also cited religious beliefs as their justification for separation and conditional treatment.

You and your presidential campaign are living proof of an evolution in the consciousness of a nation. We are living proof of an evolution unfolding in human consciousness: namely, the awareness that love transcends gender as surely as race and that spirit is not contained by black or white or male or female or any other characteristic of human condition or appearance. As this nation’s first truly viable African-American candidate for president, you must lead the way against bigotry and prejudice by all names and in all forms.

Mr. Obama, you have clearly stated your reluctance to allow your private religious beliefs to shape your public policy. This is wise in theory but difficult in practice, because while you are free to interpret your personal religious beliefs in any way you choose, as a talented orator you realize that words are powerful and can also crucially shape both public policy and public opinion. This letter is not an attempt to change your personal opinions or religious beliefs on this or any other issue, but it is an invitation for you to reexamine your spoken expressions and public statements toward a segment of Americans about whom you clearly evidence a lack of knowledge and experience. Can we be gay? Can we be Christian? Perhaps now, Mr. Obama, you may be a bit more aware of the possibilities and the answer that must include us all in your visionary new world: Yes, We Can.

Sincerely,



Ann Canas, one of over a half million worldwide members of the Christian GLBT Community
Los Angeles

Ann Canas is a freelance writer, producer, actor, and media host in Los Angeles (www.anncanas.com). She and her partner are members of the Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles (www.mccla.org).


The complete text of Barack Obama's comments regarding gay marriage, as quoted in a March 25, 2007, Chicago Tribune story:

"I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman."

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid53511.asp

[CBGLuthier]

1. Can you also please post her letter to Senator Clinton

Since the senator from NY was instrumental in so many of her husband's administrations accomplishments perhaps a word or two about DOMA would be in order?

Then we will know this is not just more partisian attack.

[ronnykmarshall]

6. Write the writer and ask her.

[guyanakoolaid]

19. If she's too busy to read Clinton's DoMA, she probably doesn't have the time to read fan mail.

Akin to a Strom Thurmond surrogate bitching about LJB's racism. :eyes:

[ronnykmarshall]

24. Was I talking to yo ass?

I don't THANK so!

[guyanakoolaid]

25. What brilliant grammar you have.

[Kali]

2. eloquent and moving letter

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Man, I'd hate to be one of Obama's letter readers.

Just think of all the loony letters he gets.

[cali]

4. wow. so the author could only dig up one quote from Obama

after accusing him of multiple statements that are "alienating, divisive, uninformed.."

And she twist that one statement into saying that he's saying that Christian and gay are mutually exclusive? She neglects to note that Obama speaks out on behalf of GLBT rights in churches frequently.

This is, in short, a dishonest letter.

Quite dishonest.

[ronnykmarshall]

7. and never speaks to the gay press.

[DerekJ]

11. Never?!!

[Qutzupalotl]

15. Really?

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/04/obama-and-the-g.html

[ronnykmarshall]

23. About damn time.

I stand corrected.

[DerekJ]

12. Good analysis.

[ronnykmarshall]

5. Oh dear.

:hide:

[rodeodance]

8. Very nice. I hope she sends it.

[Bensthename]

9. That is a little over the top IMHO..

There are many other minorities out there that dont get his full attention either.

[Texas Hill Country]

10. k & r

[sandiegoboy]

13. Obama did the right thing

Wright started off good, but he got too radical at the end. Obama did well in distancing himself from him.

[ProSense]

14. Hillary's serious gay problem (Updated)

Hillary's serious gay problem (Updated)

by davidkc
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 05:10:59 AM PDT

In Hillary Clinton's disturbing attempt to rebrand herself as a Bible-totin', gun-slinging Annie Oakley, complete with right-wing talking points, I guess it's not surprising that gays would end up with the short end of the stick in Camp Clinton these days. Hillary has given lip service to supporting GLBT rights, but her actions over the past few months - not to mention the past few decades - have shown that Hillary is not only trying to distance herself from the gay community and GLBT issues but has done her best to use anti-gay sentiment to her advantage. There's a disturbing pattern at work here, folks, that should outrage any true Democrat who cares about equality.

<...>

Setting aside the fact that Bill Clinton's presidency brought us two of the worst pieces of anti-gay federal legislation this country has ever seen: Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act - with nary a peep of protest from Hillary - Hillary's own actions during this campaign should give pause to anyone who cares about GLBT rights.

<...>

UPDATE:

This diary is about much more than just "pansy-gate," but I'd like to point out that some key national gay rights groups have just gone on the record regarding Easley's comment:

Here's a statement from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD):

"GLAAD is concerned with Gov. Easley's flippant comment this morning utilizing the word "pansy,‘" said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "The word is considered by many to be a demeaning and degrading reference to gay men. We encourage all those engaging in political rhetoric to stay away from using language that is considered defamatory toward any group of Americans."

Also, the LA Times blog reports the following from the Human Rights Campaign:

We checked with the Washington headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's premier group promoting gay rights, and it already had a statement in the works.

Trevor Thomas, the group's deputy communications director, sent out this e-mail a few minutes later: "We certainly wish the governor would have chosen his words better and have expressed our disappointment to his staff."

more

[Spider Jerusalem]

16. ...

She broke ranks with her husband by opposing his "don't ask, don't tell" policy, but when it comes to gay marriage, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is standing by her man. Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate from New York State, said January 10 that she opposes same-sex marriage.

She also said she would have voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, a bill passed by Congress in 1996 that prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriage. "Marriage has got historic, religious, and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage has always been, between a man and a woman," Clinton said.

Reported in the Advocate, 15 February 2000; link here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2000_Feb_15/ai_59410444

[bigbrother05]

17. copyright 4 paragraph rule

[rodeodance]

18. not applicable for open letters

[nichomachus]

20. We need to get religion and money out of politics, until we

do, we will continue in the poisonous and counterproductive atmosphere that has enveloped this primary and will certainly do in the GE.

I don't give a rat's ass about what people believe or say they believe. I care how they act. I don't care from where they get their principles, as long as they are principles that lead them to be a good leader.

I know atheists who are salt of the earth. I know "good Christians" who are absolute scumbags.

[jackson_dem]

21. Kick

:kick:

[1776Forever]

22. With all due respect - Are you saying you won't vote for Sen. Obama because of this?

He attends Trinity United Church of Christ, that welcomes gays into its meetings. AND the following:

Sources: Chicago Daily Tribune, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/lesbianactivism/p/BarackObama.htm

Barack Obama on Hate Crimes: Barack Obama co-sponsored legislation to expand federal hate crimes laws to include crimes perpetrated because of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Employment Non-Discrimination: Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes it should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Gays in the Military: Barack Obama believes we need to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. His campaign literature says, "The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve."

Gay & Lesbian Adoption: Barack Obama believes gays and lesbians should have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.

Barack Obama and Gay Marriage/ Civil Unions: Although Barack Obama has said that he supports civil unions, he is against gay marriage. In an interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, Obama said, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman."

Barack Obama did vote against a Federal Marriage Amendment and opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. (But) He said he would support civil unions between gay and lesbian couples, as well as letting individual states determine if marriage between gay and lesbian couples should be legalized. "Giving them a set of basic rights would allow them to experience their relationship and live their lives in a way that doesn't cause discrimination," Obama said. "I think it is the right balance to strike in this society."

.......

I believe that if I walked in your shoes I would think these stands were leaning toward where you want to go but maybe not the entire vision. I think like all candidates we have to look for the one that has more of a vision as near to ours that we can support. We, as a group of any kind, will never get everything we want from one person.

Hillary Clinton's views are as follows:

http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/lesbianactivism/p/HillaryClinton.htm

Federal Marriage Amendment: Hillary Clinton voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment (S.J. Res. 1) which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and included language which could have prevented recognition of civil unions and domestic partnership benefits. The amendment failed by a vote of 49-48.

Hillary Clinton and Gay Marriage: Some gay and lesbian voters don't feel like Hillary Clinton has done enough to support gay and lesbian rights, while others believe she is the best candidate for gay and lesbian issues. Clinton opposes gay 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.

"Marriage has got historic, religious and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage always has been, between a man and a woman." - Hillary Clinton, opposing same-sex marriages, quoted in The New York Daily News.

However, in October 2006 Hillary Clinton was quoted by 365gay.com as saying,"I believe in full equality of benefits, nothing left out. From my perspective there is a greater likelihood of us getting to that point in civil unions or domestic partnerships and that is my very considered assessment."

..............

So to me they are saying about the same things.

[Jamastiene]

26. In other words, separate but equal.

I don't agree.

[Jamastiene]

27. Thank you, Maddy.

:kick: