I personally believe that civil unions represent the best
way to secure that equal treatment.
It's particularly disappointing, though not surprising, that the Democratic front-runner would embrace "separate and unequal" while providing an Orwellian discourse on "equality."
Obama provides a laundry list of other things he promises he'll try, maybe possibly, if he can get around to it, to get done as president:
Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether.
So has the Senator introduced legislation to do this in the Senate now? Nope.
I have also called for us to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Has the Senator supported companion legislation in the Senate for the already-House-introduced MREA that would end the anti-gay policy? Nope.
have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.
Actually, Obama has done nothing other than declare he opposes UAFA because it will "facilitate immigration fraud." That's quite a hilarious contention -- that a few hundred people would slip through the system under UAFA -- when thousands get marriages of convenience under the existing marriage system.
Once again, Barack Obama is demanding a separate, more difficult arrangement for same-gender couples than for heterosexual ones. And he's done nothing legislatively or otherwise related to UAFA other than refuse to cosponsor the bill.
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.
In other words, Obama will send a couple of open letters to gay people when he wants their votes, but will insist that anti-gay discrimination is a legitimate "alternative choice" that deserves equal consideration.
Imagine if a presidential candidate had made similar commitments to "not close his ears" to the voices of KKK supporters in the 1960s vis-a-vis equal rights for black Americans.
Sorry, Senator, but you're all talk. An empty suit. You've done nothing for LGBTQ people in your short Senate career, and your laughable "open letter" to gay people underscores the futility of supporting your campaign for gay people who want real equality.
Gay people want a candidate who will always stand up for equality under the law and the 14th Amendment, regardless of the opinions of "those who still need to be convinced." We want equal treatment under the law -- not separate and unequal "compromises." And we want politicians who back their commitments with legislation, not pleas for support after years of failure and inaction.
In short, gay people want a president who would do what a Libertarian president will do.
