AP: Obama has already appointed more openly gay officials than any other president in history

[impik]

Less than halfway through his first term, President Barack Obama has appointed more openly gay officials than any other president in history. Gay activists say the estimate of more than 150 appointments so far - from agency heads and commission members to policy officials and senior staffers - surpasses the previous high of about 140 reached during two full terms under President Bill Clinton.

"From everything we hear from inside the administration, they wanted this to be part of their efforts at diversity," said Denis Dison, spokesman for the Presidential Appointments Project of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_GAY_APPOINTEES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-10-26-03-11-10

[dsc]

1. This is at least as much an accomplishment of gays as it is of Obama

I would be willing to bet that if you added in closeted gays, which many of us were directly told was only fair when it came to cabinet choices, Clinton likely appointed way, way more than the 140 listed. People are vastly more likely to be out of the closet now than even in 2000. I am glad for the appointments and clearly that part is Obama's doing, but the increase in openness is our doing, not his and for that matter not Clinton's.

[Pisces]

4. Nothing accomplished matters to you. The fact is if Obama was anti gay

he would not be appointing openly gay people at record numbers. It also stands to reason that he has also appointed individuals in the closet ( Elena Kagan - the hightest position in the land for life).

Obama has to end DADT, DOMA, and EDNA in the absolute decisive way that carries no chance of reversal or that does not impact future laws that his administration has enacted. IF you can't see that
or at least be open to the idea that maybe there is more than just one issue at stake you are intentionally choosing to ignore all of the evidence.

I hope for the end of all of these ridiculous policies ASAP, and I am disappointed that we have not done it yet. This does not make me think Obama is anti-gay.

[dsc]

5. what part of these words were unclear

I am glad for the appointments and clearly that part is Obama's doing, but the increase in openness is our doing, not his and for that matter not Clinton's.

[treestar]

10. That would just make it easier for him to be so homophobic as it is

too often claimed he is.

[treestar]

11. Why should Clinton get credit for anyone in the closet?

Then it didn't matter as far as Clinton knew.

Anything to be negative about Obama, even on this.

[dsc]

13. funny but when we discussed cabinet members

I was told that a closeted gay such as Napolitano supposedly is, should count. Which is it?

[mkultra]

31. no matter the reason, its a good sign

[Laughing Mirror]

2. They are proud they let some of us work in the big house

So isn't it funny how tone deaf is their "fierce urgency" to defend our "lifestyle choices."

[Hekate]

16. You demean the accomplishments of LGBT appointees with that statement.

Are you also writing to them and encouraging them to quit their posts because their fierce pride can't take it?

Hekate

[Laughing Mirror]

30. Actually, I'm defending my brothers and sisters

from being used as a human shield to deflect criticism of the White House for their pitiful accomplishments in LGBT rights.

But of course you may concoct any kind of scenario that is pleasing to you if it makes you feel better.

[vaberella]

3. This is countered with..there are more openly gay officials now than any other time in history.

Well American history. There have been other countries, nations, and tribes far more accepting.

[dsc]

6. funny how pices didn't respond to your post

I wonder why.

[vaberella]

8. Dunno...I'm not even familiar with the poster. n/t

[Pisces]

9. I posted to you because I was familiar with your past posts from another thread. I am not

familiar with Vaberella.

[vaberella]

20. Well nice to meet you Pisces.

:hi:

[Hekate]

17. "Well American history" -- is the history we happen to be living with & the culture we are changing

I love studying comparative cultures, but this is the one we live in and hope to change for the better.

There are many many cultures throughout history where lesbians and gays were brutally crushed. It's good to know that this was not a universal practice, and I'm glad we can look to instances where some cultures set us a better example of human co-existence.

We as Americans have a ways to go yet -- but we as Americans have come a long way since the beginning.

Hekate

[frylock]

7. i can't wait to read about his black friends

[CBR]

14. or female supreme court justices.... geez, who is this guy? nt

[PBS Poll-435]

12. I wish some could just accept and appreciate incremental progress

Look how far we, as a nation, have progressed since the 1990s.


Lasting change does not occur overnight.

[Bluenorthwest]

23. During the incremental 80's so many people died that some of

us feel learned that one thing none of us humans should be wasting is time. Because every incremental day is someone's last. The incremental Reagan was incrementally silent while thousands died. People who could have still been with us, save for the incremental responses to a crisis.
You claim lasting change does not happen overnight, but any widow will tell you otherwise.

[PBS Poll-435]

26. You and I know that that was a travesty and some might consider a human rights violation

Too many were unwilling to address the issue, but now everyone wants to blame only The President for everything going wrong. Is that fair?

[mkultra]

32. Reagan's goal was to punish gay people

he is a horrible example in this scenario.

[Hekate]

15. I love this quote: "It's both significant and rather ordinary," said Michael Cole.

>>> "It's both significant and rather ordinary," said Michael Cole, a spokesman for the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign. "It's a simple affirmation of the American ideal that what matters is how you do your job and not who you are." <<<

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_GAY_APPOINTEES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-10-26-03-11-10

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[ProSense]

18. Here is good news

Administration Issues Anti-Bullying Guidance To Schools...More Comprehensive Measures Still Needed

At least, I think it's good news.

[Hekate]

22. Yes it is

[Scurrilous]

19. K & R

:thumbsup:

[dsc]

21. I have to say what really irritates me is that accomplishments

of gay people get attributed to other people. Obama deserves some credit, which I did say, despite the liars in this thread who say I didn't, but he surely doesn't deserve full credit for this. Ordinary gay people are why it is much easier to be open now that it was then and that has at least as much to do with the variance in those numbers as anything Obama did or didn't do. It would be nice if once, just once, Obama supporters on this sight gave gays some credit for what we did.

[mkultra]

33. sure

congratulations on the accomplishments gained by the gay community through years of struggle and pain. We are starting to see the first lights of the possibility of equality. Just like women and the black community, in your march, you will suffer the greatest peril. We are just happy to see a president that, unlike Bush and Reagan, is willing to work with the gay community instead of against. i cant disagree that he could have done more, or that he hasn't at times allowed the DOJ to make it harder for whatever reason, but still, 8 years of Bush took a serious toll on our souls. We are glad that time is over.

[Jakes Progress]

24. Just so long as they don't get married or join the military.

Are those requirements in place for all other members of the administration?

[Politicub]

25. +1 - Thanks, Mr. President.

:bounce:

[Number23]

27. I agree and second your bouncy

:bounce:

[readmoreoften]

28. Thanks for reminding us of our place and what we deserve.

Hope you also get what you deserve.

[Radical Activist]

29. I assume you mean places of power

and that GLBT Americans deserve positions of influence where they can make a difference. Isn't it great to have a President who agrees?