Whether it’s the rapid progress of marriage equality, selection of a supreme court nominee, or the long-awaited overturn of the military’s gay ban, LGBT issues have become unavoidable for President Obama.
White House correspondent Sheryl Gay Stolberg reports that the administration, aware of the potential for discontent among some LGBT advocates: "The White House, aware of the discontent, invited leaders of some prominent gay rights organizations to meet Monday with top officials, including Jim Messina, Mr. Obama’s deputy chief of staff, to plot legislative strategy on the hate crimes bill as well as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Among those attending was Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who said afterward that while the gay rights agenda might not be 'unfolding exactly as we thought,' he was pleased. 'They have a vision,' Mr. Solmonese said. 'They have a plan.' While Mr. Obama has said he is 'open to the possibility' that his views on same-sex marriage are misguided, he has offered no signal that he intends to change his position. And as he confronts that and other issues important to gay rights advocates, he faces an array of pressures and risks."
Stolberg explores the complicated dynamics generated by President Obama’s position as someone who says he opposes same-sex marriage, but also describes himself as a “fierce advocate of equality” for LGBT people. She includes perspectives from advocates who would counsel the community to be patient, as well as those would urge Obama to act more quickly on LGBT issues.
As for how Obama might choose to approach the challenging course, University of Pennsylvania law professor Tobias Wolff, who was his top campaign adviser on LGBT issues, shares an insight with Stolberg. “I think he has a genuine sense that in order to move these issues forward you need broader buy-in than you are going to get if you poke a stick in too many people's eyes,” Wolff says.
White House correspondent Sheryl Gay Stolberg reports that the administration, aware of the potential for discontent among some LGBT advocates: "The White House, aware of the discontent, invited leaders of some prominent gay rights organizations to meet Monday with top officials, including Jim Messina, Mr. Obama’s deputy chief of staff, to plot legislative strategy on the hate crimes bill as well as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Among those attending was Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who said afterward that while the gay rights agenda might not be 'unfolding exactly as we thought,' he was pleased. 'They have a vision,' Mr. Solmonese said. 'They have a plan.' While Mr. Obama has said he is 'open to the possibility' that his views on same-sex marriage are misguided, he has offered no signal that he intends to change his position. And as he confronts that and other issues important to gay rights advocates, he faces an array of pressures and risks."
Stolberg explores the complicated dynamics generated by President Obama’s position as someone who says he opposes same-sex marriage, but also describes himself as a “fierce advocate of equality” for LGBT people. She includes perspectives from advocates who would counsel the community to be patient, as well as those would urge Obama to act more quickly on LGBT issues.
As for how Obama might choose to approach the challenging course, University of Pennsylvania law professor Tobias Wolff, who was his top campaign adviser on LGBT issues, shares an insight with Stolberg. “I think he has a genuine sense that in order to move these issues forward you need broader buy-in than you are going to get if you poke a stick in too many people's eyes,” Wolff says.
Lane Hudson in Huffington Post: President Speechless on Marriage Progress. "We're in the midst of mind-blowing progress towards being treated equally by the law and the White House can't muster one bit of emotion or congratulatory tone. To say it's disappointing wouldn't come close."
Obama Promises Lesbian Lieutenant: I Will 'Fulfill My Commitment' to 'Changing' DADT
Six days after Barack Obama was sworn into office, Second Lt. Sandy Tsao wrote him a letter — coming out as a lesbian. Like Obama, Taso is from the South Side of Chicago. She pledged her service to defending America by risking life and limb. But after serving some 15 months on active duty, Taso, a first-generation American, expects to receive an Article 15 honorable discharge because of homosexual conduct on May 19, after she agreed to publish her letter to Obama in Chicago's gay Windy City Times newspaper.
Taso wrote Obama: "I am a Second Lieutenant currently serving in the United States Army. In addition to being an officer, I am a Christian, a woman and a Chinese-American. I am proud of all these identities. Lastly, I am also a homosexual. On December 21, 2007, I was appointed as an army officer. In the oath of office I swore that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Unfortunately, I will not be able to fulfill this oath because the current policy regarding sexual orientation contradicts my values as a moral human being."
Obama, who reads 10 letters a day from Americans, responded with a short, handwritten note.
It reads: "Sandy– Thanks for your wonderful and thoughtful letter. It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time to complete (partly because it needs Congressional action) I intend to fulfill my commitment!"
That Obama would personally respond to a gay officer's letter says plenty unto itself. Tsao says she is "very hopeful," adding, "I believe he is a man of his word. … My heart is bounding with joy."
Obama says he's "committed to changing" Don't Ask Don't Tell, which is not the same as "repealing." That difference in wording is what got Obama into trouble when the White House website revamped the president's Civil Rights section and replaced a promise to repeal DADT with a commitment to "changing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in a sensible way."
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