While people want the equal rights he promised, Obama just keeps campaigning

I have long been critical of gay "leaders" for cozying up to the Democrats at the expense of furthering gay rights. We've seen it over and over, as HRC and others are willing to sit on the sidelines and wait while the campaign for Democrats who do nothing to further our rights. So I've been excited to see the clear shift in the last few weeks as gay "leaders" begin to hold Barack Obama and other Democrat leaders accountable for their promises to gay people.

After wooing gay dollars and votes with promises to advance eight gay rights, Obama quickly abandoned all of them once in office. He went from opposing the Defense of Marriage Act to supporting it. He went from saying he'd end Don't Ask Don't Tell as soon as he got into office to saying it won't happen for at least two years and failing to stop the discharges (something he could do with a stroke of the pen). To see devout gay Democrats like David Mixner and Corey Johnson and Andy Towle boycotting the DNC gay fundraiser this week is outstanding and shows TRUE leadership on their part!

Meanwhile, Obama thinks he's still on the campaign trail. He thinks that if you just keep talking and promising, all will be well. In the last week, he has tried to throw gay people little bones to make up for it. He granted some Federal workers some health care benefits for their partners. And now comes word that he's throwing an exclusive party for important (read: rich donors) gay people next Monday. This is all, of course, an attempt to continue his campaigning without actually governing and DOING something about his promises. I pray no gay people fall for it, and I'm encouraged to hear others say the same.

Comments

[effeldduh]

I keep quoting these dead white guys for a reason. We seem to be repeating some particularly nasty history, right now.

[WillieNY]

Ah, the land of the free!
You have the right to free speech as long as you speak English.
--

[justin]

Well Tim, I am free to do whatever I would like with my vote regardless of how you feel about it. I don't want him as my President and at this point, ANYONE will do

[Tim]

Really Justin? I agree with this post as well, but to unquestionably vote for someone who isn't Obama, no matter who is running, is as stupid as blindly voting for Obama simply because he's a Democrat.

[justin]

I am in full agreement with you and everything you wrote. He is full of EMPTY promises just to get votes.

I did NOT vote for him & am hopeful that he is voted out of office before he succeeds in making this a socialist country. I will vote for the candidate that runs against him in 2008 - no matter who it is!!!