Barack Obama open the White House for gay and lesbian Leaders on June 29. The reason for opening the doors was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of riots surrounding Stonewall Inn, where the police and gay patrons when against each other in Greenwich Village. Not only that but Obama wanted to tell gays and lesbians that he did not forget their issues.
Obama compared and related African American's issues with gay and lesbian struggles. Even though some gay activist liked the idea of being invited to the White House others were frustrated. Some activists are frustrated because they believe that Obama is not acting quickly to help them with the discrimination through out the US.
At the end of the event Obama promised to overturn the military policy on gays, repeal the marriage act, and pass a hate-crime bill in respond to Matthew Shepard's murder (The Laramie Project for those who were in the Theater History class). Not only that but he stated that he hopes to be judge not by the promises he makes but by the promises he keeps.
Obama's administration is making sure they keep Obama's campaign pledges but they are trying to avoid the idea that Obama is "giving in to any one group's demands."
6 comments:
How intriguing. I do believe that he Obama is doing it for good intentions. The again is it true that his campaigns must not give off a sense that he gives into anyone’s believes and demands.
People have been discriminated against for many issues, whether it is a race, religion, straight, bi etc. It has always been overcome through decades of hard work. I believe that the people who were angry at Obama’s lack of keeping his campaign promises are really pushing it. At these times the world at the moment is not run by discrimination but the hope of having a better economy. Then by building a better economy that is when people are there to lend a hand to each other. They set their differences aside and do not care for what sex they are. Yes it has been a very long time since they have been discriminated but through time they will prosper.
I agree i hope that Obama is being judged by the promises he has kept so far and not those he promised. He chose a great way to show gays and lesbians that their issues are not forgetten. Many crimes have been made against them for to long. They are American citizens as well. I wonder if our letters to our Senators actually made a difference in respond to Matthew Shepard Act.
I would have to disagree with the gay activists who are frustrated because their problems aren't being fixed right away. I mean look at everything that obama has to do. When he became president i'm sure he knew what he was getting involved with. I believe that they are being a little selfish for focusing on their own problems when obama is trying to fix the problems that are currently affecting the whole country. I'm glad to hear that obama is going to try to help them and get rid of anything that is hurting the gay community. I believe things (for example the marrige act), were passed due to religious belives. I believe that America states that religion and Politics should not be involved and everyone is equal. Obama shouldn't even have to worry about protecting gay rights, because there shouldnt be any arguing against it in the first place.
I agree when Obama relates the issues of African-Americans with those of Gay communities; groups whom repeatedly are targets of discrimination and acts of violence. The strongest resemblance between the groups is the struggle they face towards enforcing the civil rights, rights all Human beings equally deserve. Blacks once fought to exercise the same rights as white men, like the right to vote or access a higher education, and fortunate enough succeeded at it. Now similarly, Gay advocates seek to get government recognition over their civil union just like any other union formed by a man and woman would on legal terms. Yes, racism has been culturally embedded in society for as long as we can trace back human history, but this is 2009 not 1909. Things must change and we must eliminate racism, sexism, and any other kind of –ism, discriminating based on ethnicity, religion, or sexual preference. Gays are not asking for any form of “special” preference, they simply no longer want to be denied what is rightfully theirs, the right to marry the one they love and be securely protected by the government.
Though, I must admit Rosa presents a very good point; the country’s top priority right now should be the economy which has impacted thousands of families of all colors, beliefs, ethnicities, and religions. After all, the unfortunate truth is the world is run by money and it is during drastic times like these that people start pointing fingers and discrimination rises trying to find someone responsible for the country’s despair.
Post a Comment