Posted on June 16th, 2009 by Colin
3 Comments »
Look, I’m not a really good thinker when it comes to ACTUAL politics. I have extremely strong opinions about what qualifies justice, freedom, equality and the like, but these all come from my background in the liberal arts and queer theory. When it comes to true politics, like the kind that our president is a part of, I really am a clueless buffoon. So when I heard that president Obama was allowing his administration to defend DOMA, I really want to believe the best. I wanted to believe that this was about taking it slow, remaining neutral on the federal level regarding gay marriage, and a whole slew of excuses to give Obama the benefit of the doubt. And now? I just don’t know how angry I am supposed to be.
Our blog friend Ben over at Pinko Mag has already covered this, and pretty much expresses my opinion on the matter (especially those opinions I dare not speak regarding 16 year olds and Robert Patinson). So I’m not going to go on a rant reblogging basically the same sources he covers. But for those interested who haven’t seen the reporting happening this week, this editorial from the New York Times lays out the situation nicely. HRC’s ever eloquent president Joe Solmonese wrote letter yesterday condemning Obama’s defense of DOMA, which has since become a voice representing an almost unilateral response from the homosexual community in opposition to Obama. Now if only HRC was as useful as Solmonese’s words are sweet — we might actually be accomplishing something!
My dilemma here is this: I drank the Obama Kool-aid. I want to believe this is all just some huge misunderstanding. I applauded all of the coverage of Obama’s fresh approach to diplomacy in the middle east. I think he’s doing great things for this country, and will continue to do more. I want to believe this is a little SNAFU and we can get through it and still come out stronger.
But really, how can I justify my support of Obama when he’s allowing a defense of DOMA that compares gay relationships and marriages with those between an uncle and a niece, two first cousings, and 16 year olds? Since when is my sex life and my adult relationships comparable the stuff that inspires certain particularly terrifying episodes of The X-Files? Not to shit on the practices of poor isolated communities in Appalachia, but I’m fairly confident to make the call that an adult gay relationship cannot reasonabley be compared to those that are questionabley statutory or incestuous. (Now if we were talking about two male 1st cousins or a 16 year old girl and a 32 year old leather mama getting married, maybe these comparisons make sense… but we’re not so those relationships are a moot point.)
What is Obama’s plan for gay rights after all the fancy talk we got back during the election? Just check out Obama’s Plan For Gay Rights.com.
My feelings are really complex here, so I’m just going to let Rihanna say it for me. The video I found has karaoke style lyrics so you can sing along, because that’s totally something you should do if you are reading this while sitting at work.
Oh, Obama… I hate that I love you so…
RSS Subscribe
Follow on Twitter
Facebook
June 17th, 2009 at 5:54 am
I feel that way too! When Obama kisses my lips, I totally forget why I was upset. It’s sad and unfair.
[reply this comment]
June 17th, 2009 at 7:47 am
I’ve been teetering about President O for the last few weeks. I volunteered for him for three weeks in Ohio and donated money, etc. The result of all my heavy-lifting? He turns out a pro-DOMA brief and total silence on every other gay rights issue else.
My optimistic idea is that Obama supports gay rights but just wants to do it really really slowly. So the DOMA brief is basically a way to quell any action on any gay rights issue until he says so.
I’m still pissed. Gay rights (and specifically immigration equality) is pretty much my one big issue. But like you I’m also agree with him on pretty much everything else. Universal Healthcare? Thank you, please!
[reply this comment]
June 17th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Well the honest truth is that gay men have zero political capital. As passive as their actions may be, they’re still not openly hateful to gays and lesbians like the GOP. Over 70 percent of registered gay voters vote democrat, and no matter what the administration’s policies are on gay issues, they’ll always be farther left than the other party.
Obama, and more importantly, the members of his party that are campaigning for reelection soon, have absolutely nothing to gain by fighting for gay rights, and only stand to lose votes by standing up for gay rights. It’s a 2 party system and gay rights get screwed.
[reply this comment]