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Politics | Events

Change has come to America

Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. His Administration has already posted the President's agenda on the White House new website. As his President-elect office's website stated, Barack Obama's plan includes to strenghten civil rights for gays :
- Expand Hate Crimes Statutes by passing the Matthew Shepard Act.
- Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage.
- Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: Ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions.
- Expand Adoption Rights : For all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. Obama thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.
- Fight Workplace Discrimination: Obama believes that anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell in the army.

Read the full Agenda here.

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Gay Marriage | Barack Obama | Politics | Events

Politics

Obama will end DADT says spokesman

SF Gate reports that President-elect Barack Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Obama will end the 15-year-old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that has prevented homosexual and bisexual men and women from serving openly within the U.S. military.

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Politics | Barack Obama | Homophobia

Religion | Politics | Events

Obama invites Gay Bishop to say Prayer

Openly gay bishop Gene Robinson will deliver a prayer for President-elect Barack Obama in an inauguration event on Sunday that could help defuse controversy over anti-gay pastor Rick Warren who will give the main invocation when the next president takes office on January 20. New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Robinson, at the center of the Anglican church's global battle over homosexuality, will speak on Sunday on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, writes Reuters. Robinson has called the choice of Warren a slap in the face. But he said on Monday he did not believe Obama invited him in response to the Warren criticism but his prayer would help ease concerns among gay and lesbians. He said he believed the invitation, which came about two weeks ago, was made because he endorsed Obama in May last year. The two also met during the presidential primary. "But this will certainly not go unnoticed in the gay and lesbian community," he said.

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Barack Obama | Religion | Politics | Events

Politics

What will Obama do for Gays?

Now’s the time for Barack Obama to start delivering on his promise of change. Barack Obama was arguably the most pro-gay major-party presidential campaigner in American history. From his first national political address (the barnstorming keynote he delivered at the 2004 Democratic National Convention) up to his acceptance speech in Chicago’s Grant Park, he repeatedly spoke of the struggles gay people face, explicitly linking them to the greater civil rights movements that have illuminated American history. So it’s understandable that his election has left gay men and women feeling a bit giddy. And the fact that all this inclusive language is coming from a man who, as of January 20, will become the country’s first black president makes the rhetoric all the more meaningful. But will gay issues be among his top priorities?, asks the Advocate.

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Barack Obama | Politics

Politics | Religion | TV

Joe Biden on Rick Warren Choice

In an interview with CNN's Larry King, Vice President-elect Joseph Biden answered a question on the controversy over the selection of Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inaugural: "Barack Obama said you've got to reach out. You've got to reach a hand of friendship across the aisle and across philosophies in this country. We can't continue to be a red and blue country. We can't be divided like we have been. And he's made good on his promise. And I would say to the gay and lesbian community, they have nothing to worry about. Barack Obama, every aspect of his life, every aspect of his public life, and every commitment he's made relating to equality for all people, will be things that he will stick with and that they should view this in the spirit in which he offered the opportunity to - to Mr. Warren." Watch a video...

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Politics | Religion | TV | Barack Obama

Politics | Religion

Obama defends choice of Anti-Gay Pastor

President-elect Barack Obama's announcement Wednesday that Pastor Dr. Rick Warren will give the invocation at the inauguration has set off a firestorm of criticism from liberal and gay rights activists. His selection by Mr. Obama further cements his place as one of the nation's preeminent religious leaders and also is seen as a clear sign to reach out to evangelical and conservative voters who didn't support him in last month's election. But it is Warren's strong opposition to abortion and particularly gay marriage which has many on the left up in arms over him being given such a prominent role in the inauguration. The Human Rights Campaign sent a strident letter to Mr. Obama, urging him to reconsider and calling the invitation "a genuine blow." "By inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table," says the letter by Joe Solmonese, president of HRC. "We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination." Barack Obama responded to the growing controversy : "I am a fierce advocate of equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something that I have been consistent on, and I intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency. What I've also said is that it is important for America to come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues," reports CBS News.

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Politics | Religion | Barack Obama | Gay Marriage | Homophobia

Politics | Events

A Gay Band at Obama Inaugural Parade

The Lesbian and Gay Band Association, a musical organization comprised of concert and marching bands from cities across America and the world, will be included as a marching contingent in the 2009 Obama Presidential Inaugural Parade. "This is the first time that an LGBT group will be represented in a Presidential Inaugural Parade, truly our chance to make history," said the association's inaugural committee to members Saturday. Former President Clinton allowed gay groups to perform on the sidewalk during the parade, but not to march. "We will certainly have the biggest stage possible to remind people of the importance of coming out and taking part in our national community," said Cliff Norris, a member of the Atlanta Freedom Band, which is a part of the LGBA, reports Washington Blade. Watch a LGBA video...

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Politics | Events | Barack Obama

Politics

Barack Obama's Agenda for Gay Rights

Barack Obama has posted his agenda to transform America on his President-elect office's website, Change.gov. The Obama-Biden Plan supports the LGBT Community and includes to strengthen civil rights for Gay Americans :

- Expand Hate Crimes Statutes
- Fight Workplace Discrimination
- Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples
- Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
- Expand Adoption Rights
- Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell
- Promote AIDS Prevention

The website quotes a Barack Obama's statement of June 2007 : "While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect." Read the Agenda here.

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Politics | Barack Obama

Society | Politics | Events

Obama Wins, Change Has Come

Barack Obama, 47, enters history as the first black president of the U.S.. He made his first speech as elected president at Chicago's Grant Park, Illinois. Read an extract: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer... It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America." Watch a video of Barack Obama's speech...

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Barack Obama | Society | Politics | Events

Politics | Religion

Obama says NO on Proposition 8

Hours after the Proposition 8 campaign admitted it had mailed a flyer to African-American voters that lies about Sen. Barack Obama's position on the initiative, the NO on 8 Campaign launched a statewide television ad reminding voters that Sen. Obama, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, as well as the state's leading newspapers, have all called for the defeat of Proposition 8. Using the words each of these leaders has used to describe the unfair initiative, the new ad makes clear that Sen. Obama has called Prop 8 "divisive and discriminatory," that Gov. Schwarzenegger has said "it should never happen," and Sen. Feinstein closes by telling voters: "No matter how you feel about marriage, vote against discrimination, and Vote NO on 8." Watch a video...

In response to the mailer received by African-American Californians that misrepresented the position of Sen. Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, the Obama campaign released the following statement last night: "The Obama-Biden ticket opposes Proposition 8 and similar discriminatory constitutional amendments that could roll back the civil rights he and Sen. Biden strongly believe should be afforded to all Americans."

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Politics | Religion | Barack Obama | Gay Marriage

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