Obama Outlines His Gay Agenda On WhiteHouse.gov

Talk about efficiency. WhiteHouse.gov, the official site of the President, was updated to reflect the changeover from President George Bush to President Barack Obama within a few minutes of Obama's inauguration. Has anyone visited the site yet, and if so, have you seen The Agenda page? I have to say that I am impressed—it lays out Obama's civil rights agenda, which includes broad support for the LGBT community.

Among Obama's positions: He supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity; and he supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples.

Additionally, Obama thinks we should repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, and he opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

He also wants to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy; ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals regardless of their sexual orientation; and develop a comprehensive national AIDS/HIV strategy.

This is all in writing! On the President's Web site!

What do you think of it, and do you believe he will accomplish all of his LGBT rights goals within his first term?

Comments

[Kyle]

Um, yeah... none of this is new, gay.com

Can we have some REAL news-gathering? This has been on his transition Web site, change.gov, ever since the election in early November. Let's do away with some of the exclamation points, please, as this is not new "news."
It's embarrassing that you would hold it up as such.

[Matt]

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/24/bush-gay-benefits/
Was this ever mentioned it seems to have been over looked. This is something that President Bush did that we should be Thankful for.

But we also have to remember that what Obama says that he is going to do. Doesn't actually mean that it is going to be passed by The Bosses in the congress and senate. Think people. The President can promise many things, but he doesn't pass the laws. How soon we forget....

[Matt]

On more thing

do any of you really understand UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. Guys/Gals give me a break. I have great insurance now. I pay for it myself. I do not make a crazy hourly rate. But that is on thing I budget for. If we go to a Universal Health Care system it scares the HELL OOOOOUTTT OF ME.

The health care in Canada is not good. why do you think Canadians come to America for Operations. Or any other country for that fact. They visit AMERICA because we have great Doctors. Yes it is expensive but when we are sick we do not have to wait for months upon months for having the necessary operations. In Canada you wait a very long time for just the basic surgery.... Think about it.
And it will happen here.

[Nathan]

We demand that people accept our ideas, yet we refuse to accept the ideas of others who believe differently. Don't some of you see that you are being just as judgmental as the religious crowd? Two wrongs don't make a right.

Obama is everyone's President, not just the religious right or the liberal left. He had a controversial, openly gay bishop lead the opening prayer one day and then had a controversial anti-gay do it the next. He has kept his promise to be an inclusive President and he has given both sides of the coin an opportunity at his inauguration.

The man has been in office less than 24 hours and people are already tearing him down, saying he won't deliver on his promises.

Let's put things into perspective: he specifically addressed gay people at his victory speech on Nov. 4th. He specifically addressed gay people at the DNC. On his first day in office, he devoted a section of his website to gay people. And throughout his campaign, he had a section devoted to the gay community.

How can your memories be so short sighted? Do you understand that never in history has a President so openly accepted gay people and their rights? He's making a step in the right direction and I know good things will follow.

Progress happens one step at a time. I do believe that he will address his goals for the LGBT community in his first term. He has a broken country to repair and it's going to take some time.

But surely if you open up your eyes, you will see that he has been inclusive of all types of people.

We have to realize that Obama is going to be peaceful with the religious crowds just as he is going to be with the gay crowds, and other minorities.

To be a truly inclusive President, he must be friends with all of us. That's exactly what he's been.

Please, my fellow gay community, understand that we must be open minded if we want others to be open minded too. We must show them that we are above petty, childish fighting. We must show a peaceful, united country. If we can't be those things, then we can never expect others to be those things.

Our country is what we make it to be. Do we want to be bitter and hateful, or friendly and open to discussion?

As for Obama being against gay marriage... remember that people can change and people can grow. Civil unions are a step above what we have now. It's all about steps. Let him establish civil unions across the board. We'll be one step closer to our goals.

When gay people start having the same rights, and the world does not come to an end, conservatives will loosen up and see it's no big deal.

We are further ahead than we were one year ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago. We are forging ahead every day. Don't say nothing good ever comes to us, because it does. Take a look at history and the proof is right in front of you.

[youngbimale2007]

Wow, this is pretty bad. Bush has made us all cynical. Everyone forgets that at the beginning of his term Bush had a huge amount of support and that was up through the time he went to war after 9/11. Have some faith that the man put in charge will do something good. Have some faith in the man that a majority of America voted for, a vast majority. I totally get that as a group GLBT have been discriminated against and hated, but acting like this doesn't do anything but reinforce that. Yes, the proof is in the putting, but I guarantee there wasn't as near a clear cut plan to better America on the White House website when Bush was in office. If he does do what he promises... America is going to be great. He'll unite people regardless of color and regardless of sexual orientation and regardless of religion. Instead of criticizing him pray it works... because if he fails he'll set America back and divide the country racially and make people lose faith in the government entirely. Because if the Republicans and Bush failed and the Democrats and Obama failed then there's not much hope anyone can successfully lead and chaos is going to ensue. Trust America's choice for a leader, support your leader until there's a real reason to step back and say "hey something's up".

[Mikefromcanada]

Wow, I can't believe how many negative posts I see in this thread. The realization of your dream is closer than you could have imagined just four years ago. You need to get behind Obama with all your might. My suggestion, lose the bitterness and support Obama with determination, dignity and integrity.

[Michael]

Kudos to President Obama, his immediate attention to LGBT matters is phenominal. Civillywedd.com has every confidence that the President will implement his LGBT Agenda and leave Gay Marriage to the individual States. As the President stated, "We are a Nation of Laws". Each State has its own laws that need to become cohesive on the Marriage issue. Work toward changing your State's Laws if they are not conducive to Gay Marriage. I don't believe that it is in the Presidents power to mandate LGBT Marriage.

[DS]

I'm no fan of Obama, and I didn't vote for him.

But what everyone seems to forget is that the President can not make law. Only congress can do that. While his stance on gay issues may seem good, it is meaningless unless both houses of congress pass something that positively effects us and he signs it into law.

[Paul Hogan]

Guys & gals: Below is an idea I recently read. Pretty insightful. Makes a lot of sense. Kind of like tweeking the solution so both sides can claim a "win". So it's easier for both sides to digest. Isn't "equal rights & benefits under the law" what we're REALLY after here? Thought I'd share...

-------------------------------------
Early in George Bush’s administration I remember hearing him say he’s for civil unions. Which seemed sensible to me.

Fast-forwarding to today. It sounds like the religious contingent isn’t against gay couples having equal rights & benefits under the law. Rather the snarling is over the word “marriage”. I can see both sides.

Religious people feel they pretty much own the word. I imagine because for most of recorded history marriage has been a religious rite. Having significant religious implications. I.e. its conducted in a church, synagogue, etc. By a priest, minister, etc. So, almost as if by squatters-rights, they figure own the word. I agree! Why take that word away from people who have, in essence, owned it—for eons!

The gay contingent is focusing on the civil vs. the religious aspect of the word “marriage”. The rights & benefits angle. Gay people feel our government—per our Constitution—shouldn’t discriminate against one subset of people over another. In this case, same vs. different sexed couples. I agree! One of the clear, foundational tenants of our government is equal treatment for all!

So it boils down to the word marriage. Does its religious or civil aspect take precedence?

We could continue arguing it in our streets—ginning up even more division & hatred. And via ballot initiatives and in our courts—potentially all the way to the Supreme Court.

Or … we could find a simpler, quicker and far less expensive solution. Via a creative, win-win approach.

Like simply CHANGING THE WORD … on a civil (federal & state) level … from “marriage” to something else. Anything else. It doesn’t matter. The definition to be: “a legal union of two consenting adults—regardless of race, gender or religion”. Period. End of story. Fair & equitable for all. Including maintaining separation of church & state.

This way “marriage” can remain a religious oriented word—satisfying the religious contingent. And gay couples would get equal rights & benefits under the law—satisfying the gay contingent.

IF—religious people don’t find this acceptable. Then they obviously have another goal. Like imposing their personal religious beliefs on others. At a civil level. Which is a big no-no—I hope—per our constitution. I.e. separation of church & state. So STOP IT.

IF—gay people don’t find this approach acceptable. They too have another agenda. Like sticking their finger in the eye of religious people. Perhaps because they don’t feel respected. In which case I’d also say STOP IT. You can’t force someone to respect you. Respect is earned then granted—always.

I know a little about this topic. It’s not easy knowing & loving someone who’s gay—while your religion preaches gay is wrong. Deviant. Twisted. A sin. Or worse.

People in this position are hugely conflicted. It’s practically torture if the loved one is, say, a son or daughter. Torn between what your religion preaches. And loving/accepting your child, “as is”.

So to gay people. I say have some patience. And a little compassion. You’re not the only one suffering.
-------------------------------------

[JT]

When the typical politician makes campaign promises that's one thing, and I can understand a reasonable portion of suspicion. This statement of beliefs was posted AFTER the campaign, and AFTER he got into office. WAKE UP, you cynics, and pay attention! He isn't campaigning anymore. He won. He didn't have to even utter the words "gay" or "same sex." He did so in his acceptance speech, after he'd won, and again after he'd taken office. He has NO motive to utter false statements now, especially ones that will earn him so much heat from the homophobes and religious right.

Now come the bitches amongst you, to naysay, to insult and complain. This man has done more in his first day in office for us and for the entire nation than GWB did in eight years. He has instilled hope in a weary and often apathetic people. Three million people wanted to show up to be there when he was sworn in. One of you complained of the expense. What would you have wanted done with those who traveled from near and far to see President Obama's inauguration? More importantly, the ceremonies bought us something usually not for sale. They bought this weary nation hope, things they can believe in. Belief may very well be the most powerful aspect of any change. Then, in one of the most sound and profound speeches in history, he brought the other needful thing for change: He inspired a nation to roll up their sleeves and get the dirty work done.

I've seen many men in politics -- good men who became corrupted, jaded, and slothful pigs after nothing more than a generous and perpetual free lunch. Barack Obama is the real thing. Any of you who watched the campaign and the ceremonies and didn't grasp that, you truly lead sadly disabling lives, and I hope you find the counsel you need to overcome your undue skepticism. The way he received people of all walks of life, the way he took the time and energy to give each band a warm smile and custom wave all their own... To some of you, that may be a cheap gesture, mere political theatre. You missed the warmth in his eyes, the way that his wife and family also reacted and cared (and it's nigh unto impossible to make children fake something like that,) and the fact that he didn't HAVE to do any of that. He could have taken office more quietly than Bush left it. Instead, he chose to wisely invest in empowering our nation. In doing so, he continues to give us change we can believe in.

Separate but equal? Jim Crow? Have any of you cynics read "The Audacity of Hope"? I invite you. I implore you to spend a lousy $6 on the paperback (or borrow it from the library.) Invest the time to read his book, far less time than the undue angst and negativity has taken. Find out first-hand who this man, our President, is, and how he comes to his perspectives. Don't grab a convenient snippet. Read it all, as a whole. What you'll find is a thinking man of moderation. What you'll find is someone who understands what Reasonable means, and can employ moderation without selling out principles. You'll find someone who loves this nation and its Constitution, who believes strongly in the rights of ALL citizens. You'll find a man who walks the talk.

By naming us in his acceptance speech (and near the top, one might add,) President-Elect Obama showed us he didn't intend to throw us under the bus now that he had our vote. In considering us at all within yesterday's ceremony, he reaffirmed the same again. The public speech of Warren does little to counter that he sought a gay clergyman for the private ceremony that is, in fact, fare more significant and meaningful to himself, his family, and those in power. That he bothered to voice so strong a position for us, one equal to all other people, on the White House site was yet further proof that, despite the popularity it might cost him, he was not about to throw us under the bus. His appointments confirm yet again that he remains alongside us... and yet I read embarrassing attacks here -- attacks on a man who has done more to speak up for us openly, and to stay by us, than any other President in history.

Barack Obama embodies an idea, a belief. He's the symbol of Change We Can Believe In. He's the guidance of a nation that would, in their heart of hearts, do the right thing for all people. If you were paying attention, you'd have noticed it right from the start, when he opened with "My fellow CITIZENS." You'd have seen proof in the pudding when he and his wife chose to brave the freezing temperatures to walk down the streets of Washington, D.C., several times yesterday. You can be sure that Secret Service wanted him safely in that limo. HE may have wanted himself safely in that bomb-proof limo. But he knew that WE, the People, needed him walking on that street, and so he got out and walked.

Put away your doom and gloom. Quit looking for excuses to wait and see. Roll up your sleeves and pitch in. Even in telling us the unpolished truth that it will take work to change our nation, President Obama was on our side and speaking the truth. It will take work on all of our parts to achieve those lofty goals we would like to achieve. The achievement of equality for gay people is one amongst those goals that will require effort on our part. As he said, the government can facilitate those changes, but it cannot do it for us. We must work for those changes. We must take action. Put away the cynicism, take up your tasks, be part of the positive change that you would have happen in this land. All of the negativity and complaining isn't the action of a vigilant watchdog. It's the destructive flesh-tearing of a harpy. THAT is something we can all do far better without.

A business law teacher once told me the unwashed truth: We have no rights except those we procure for ourselves. President Barack Hussein Obama has dared to defy our enemies by openly taking our side. As head of this nation, he continues to promise that our government will help us achieve our goals. Now it's up to us to procure those rights for ourselves.

All the best; Peace & Creation,

JT

"The opposite of War is not Peace. It's Creation." -- Jon Larson, Rent

http://SpectreWriter.com

[natureboy]

The guy has only been in office less than a day. If you voted for somebody for the promises that they've made and they fall a little short, figure out who is responsible and hold them accountable. If he pushes for our rights, but the members of congress make it impossible for him to accomplish those things then hold those responsible accountable. Find out where they live and invade their territory, make it impossible for them to ignore you. for years we've been dealing with this so called "culture war", so why arent we treating it as such. But if we continue to bicker among ourselves how are we gonna accomplish anything. Bitching and moaning isnt gonna get us anything. So lets do something about it. And as for the rick warren thing, hopefully its one of those keep your friends close and your enemies closer sort of situations. If you dont like what ive had to say, feel free to email me because i'll probably never see this page again.

[Jack]

Obama has truly brought hope (to the hopeless...)

[Jono]

Excellent,

All we need to do is get him on board support of same-sex marriage (which I'm pretty sure he privately supports) and all is good. Just a matter of getting the house and the senate to pass that which is much over due and you're off to the races.

[Mike]

Be it business or gov't of any kind, a good leader puts forth an agenda that he/she thinks can be attained. Compromises may have to be made but that's what happens when you have freedoms. If others can't disagree (no matter how unfair it may seem)then what's the point of freedom. If your in a serious relationship, you may not agree with your partner but you make compromises. Same goes in business & gov't. We've had 8 years that came damn close to DICTATORSHIP and it's time we had someone who is trying to put our freedoms and equality back on track to move them forward in a much better form. Huge changes do not happen overnight, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or 1 year. I have faith that all will come to fruition but it will take time, some compromises and a determination to achieve all. As for Rick Warren, I see it as a gesture of allowing something on behalf of the ultra conservatives. If having him give a prayer made that group happy, then let them have that 5 min. Had he been appointed to serve as some kind of spiritual leader for the inauguration, then that would of been an entirely different scenerio.
Those that are pessimistic will always be pessimistic. Some will see the light while others will continue to wallow in their doom & gloom psyche.

[Michael Mapes]

Putting something on a website, and and actually doing something for gay Americans are two very different things. Gay men ALWAYS seem to forget that, which is why they are continually disappointed in the people they elect.

[Ralph]

GFH! How long will it take? Where are we on this agenda?

You all know his first actions will be the war & the economy. "Should" we press for us first?

Oh, BTW, Canada (all except BC) has had gay marriages for a couple years now........

[the_real_sweedie]

I wonder if this includes the right as a non-citized to get a green card if one enters a union with another man. That would really solve a LOT of my problems...

And to all you people calling him "Hussein Osama" and whatnot, I see that you're being a real patriot by supporting the elected president of your country. All I see is racism, bigotry, and hate, instead of support, open mindedness, and love... Get over yourself and get started on fixing what your guy has screwed up for the last 8 years instead of being angry about how the election turned out. One of the worst things in the world is people judging without anything to go on... it includes racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. etc. So at least give the president a chance before doubting him, it makes you look like real assholes and frankly, quite racist, when you're calling him names and saying that nothing will get fixed with him in the presidency when he's been there for ONE DAY.

[corrective_unconscious]

>"Hussein Osama is shrewd enough to know that there is a set number of seats in his bus. If he is to pull his people from the back of the bus, somebody else have to be pushed back there. And he found the perfect gullible bunch. The clueless homos!!!"

Hey wallace, you ignorant bigot, stfu. Civil rights are not zero sum.

[corrective_unconscious]

>"My civil union will be to an individual person that I love, so whether its called a marriage or civil union does not really matter its the rights and benefits it entails that matter. Its not like I will have to use a different bathroom or that I can ride on the bus 'but at the back'."

You're not informed. Civil unions don't transfer across state lines or to other countries. Nor do they confer federal benefits regarding taxes and social security. Civil unions is "less than" in action. Wake up and educate yourself a tiny bit.

[corrective_unconscious]

>"We demand that people accept our ideas, yet we refuse to accept the ideas of others who believe differently. Don't some of you see that you are being just as judgmental as the religious crowd? Two wrongs don't make a right."

We never said talibangelical fuckwads can't adopt, marry whom they wish, serve openly in the armed forces or be protected from arbitrary firing. Maybe you should consider what "discrimination" is, and re-think your post.

[queerplanet]

I won't be happy until I see Barack in a group sex scene, with videos on Youtube.

Until then he's just another breeder.

[MadridinChicago]

GO-BAMA!!!

President Obama will go down in history as one of the greatest President's...right along side Abraham Lincoln. It is understandable, after so many years of 'lies and deceptions' directed towards the American people from so, so many of our politicians, but, Obama is a decent man. How could anyone think differently...NOW truly is the time for Change in our country and Obama is the man for this job. I think in the long run, many of us will find ourselves greatly impressed. To the nay sayers who have taken issue with Obama having Rick Warren deliver his invocation..Obama is simply walking in the footsteps of another great President...LINCOLN's strategy for change was the same...invite same believing politicians to the table as well as those who's views he opposed....Obama is a smart, smart man.....GO-BAMA!!!

[Greg]

Some of you idiots are just Stupid.
This is one of the 1st things he signed in Office.
What more could you possibly want.
And Stupid Prop 8 is in the process in attempt to overturn.
Besides CA already has Civil Unions with the same rights as married hetros.
Marriage is a word, let the frukin hetros have it

[Sparky]

Although I'm ecstatic that he is our President for so many reasons I still remain skeptical (some would say jaded). Once we move past the rhetoric, we'll see what he has to truly offer. As the old saying goes: "The proof is in the pudding".

He's made a lot of promises to a lot of people, and I hope he didn't dive head-first into water that's only ankle deep.

In my opinion (and my opinion alone; so 'Ladies' don't get your panties in a wad - I'm not asking you to accept MY opinion) he's boarding a plane called the United States of America that been attempting a crash landing for some time.

At this point it feels like his job is to try and steer us into a crash landing in the Hudson River, as opposed to landing in a busy Queens neighborhood.

Fasten your seatbelt Ladies and Gentlemen. The Captain will do the best he can to land us with the least amount of casualties.

[queerplanet]

I can't believe we voted in another HETEROSEXUAL for president.

When will we ever learn?

Breeders are unnatural and are destroying the moral fiber of our society.

They are destroying the environment along with it with all these kids.

[David]

I don't know if Obama will be able to do what he'd like to do in One Term but I am Happy to see that there is Finally someone in office who gives a damn about the Gay Community.

[Me]

>Obama is a smart, smart man.....GO-BAMA!!!

I have to agree with this one. Hussein Osama is clever enough to never let hatred and fear be linked to him AGAIN. He has learnt his Jeremiah Wright & Bill Ayers lessons. Now his mode of operation is to inspire fear and hatred among his minions and let them do the dirty works for him while he's sitting at the front of the bus with Rick Warren praising his Dad, who art in Heaven... um... He's "The One" you know... Just go to the back and of the bus and ask Gene Robison. He'll confirm it for you. Example, you say? Didn't you know how prop 8 got passed in CA? Specifically in Los Angeles County? Thanks to the Hussein Osama inspired South Central riffraffs and the East side illegals. Please. Don't tell us these riffraffs are Mormon inspired! The Mormon inspired Whities didn't pass prop 8. It's Hussein Osama's minions that did that dirty work for him!

[Bill]

Any "Person Of Gayness" reading this agenda and not being excited about it is lost in pessimism. It is a great step forward for human rights in this country. No other President has ever come close to supporting gay rights this specifically.

[SteveB]

I feel that until we get full marriage rights vs. civil unions, we can ride the bus but can only sit in the back. Civil unions are further examples of people thinking that GAY is a choice instead of genetic. Replace the word Gay with Black or Blue-eyed and see what the answer from the people is. Yes it has to do with money, taxes, but the total issue is that GAY is the same as race- not something we choose and needs to be treated as such-meaning equal rights in all things. Obama should be the first to say that MARRIAGE needs to be a universal for all nationwide.

[Hammer H.]

Obamamania continues!

Are all these things worth it if it means taking our country down his disasterous road toward socialism? I dont think so.

[Eric]

Did I miss his 'walking on water' ceremony? Everyone protrays him as the messiah - hes come to save us from everything bad. No president has been set up for bigger fall than Obama so he should enjoy his 1 term in office.

[hairyback1]

I think it's wonderful! While I know Obama didn't actively court our vote, I think he said certain things during the campaign just to placate the more conservative voters. I was always secretly hoping that he was keeping his agenda under wraps, and that he'd bring it "out of the closet". Now I know I was right. Any candidate in his position would feel that they would have to take one step at a time. I doubt anyone would be able to accomplish all that in four years, but I hope Obama is as successful as Johnson was during 1964-1966.

[queerplanet]

I wonder if Obama has the power to turn Republican gay men who only watch Fox news into toads?

You know the ones. The gay men who think that because someone is named Hussein it makes them evil.

Or the ones who think that having national health care means you're a socialist and that's bad, but giving billions in tax money to Halliburton and other corporations is freedom.

I wonder if Obama can turn Bill O'Reilly into a toad too?

Anyway, at least we don't have to listen to that swaggering nitwit anymore. Poor George. Turns out he wasn't the decider after all.

Let that be a lesson to you Fox news gay men.

Now I can't wait until we elect Leslie Feinberg president.

[clypto]

I understand this distrust of politions people have, but one must give Obama props for this. He's only been in office one day and already he's put forth more consideration to these issues than any other candidate.

So, no, we shouldn't "count our chickens before they hatch" (or some old chesnut like that) but the eggs exist -- and that's a start.

[Mike F]

This should prove to people that although he doesn't believe in same sex marriage, he is here to bring change. People already had doubts about him in office before they waited to see what he was going to do. But people can't expect that he is going to change the world so everyone is happy. If we only have him for 4 years, maybe it will be 4 years of peace that we all could use.

[nolaguy28]

Judging from a lot of the posts on here its obvious that many dont support Obama's presidency, although one can only imagine why. I just wonder how high on McCain's list LGBT issues would be, were he to have been elected President?

[splashpont]

Hail to the Chief!

[blah2343]

Why do Democrats use little kids to spread their propaganda? And who is this "GZ" gee-zee or however you spell it who was spreading racism and "black power" during Obama's inauguration?

[James]

Until I'm certain my tax dollars aren't going to go towards abortions, I'm not throwing any confetti.

[corrective_unconscious]

>"Besides CA already has Civil Unions with the same rights as married hetros. Marriage is a word, let the frukin hetros have it"

How can people be so deluded as this, or lie so transparently? That CA civil union is good until you move to a less friendly state, or travel somewhere. That CA civil union doesn't give you tax or Social Security benefits. I'd be grateful if you would take a moment and explain your stupidity or your lying, as the case may be. It's puzzling that you would expect anyone to be as misinformed or disingenuous as you are.

[Dustin]

I'm very happy to see the change on the white house web page which is the same that was on the president elect website after he won the election. In my life I never expected to see anyone but a rich white guy in the white house and two I never expected to actually have a president who is so open about supporting gay rights. All I have to say is good thing the economy went into the crapper so Gay rights wasn't as big of an issue this election.

[tomheward]

oh guys, this is a gift, so refreshing compared to Bush or our PM here in frozen Canada. Go President Obama! and good luck. Not having to particularly worry about healthcare and being able to marry your guy are great things about living in Canada, but at least you guys get passion at the top. Our head of state, the Governor-General, is also a black person (and lovely), but the big difference is: you guys got to vote for yours.

[Dunkieboy]

Good, but I don't believe gay men should be allowed to adopt, they are not suitable parents

[Seige]

All I can say is wow... just wow... I'm impressed by this mans ability to even vocalize these thoughts for the world to see on the official website for the Administration. Yes actions speak louder than words but this type of exposure is just amazing and hes really going out for us it seems. Sure, the rights won't come over night but I will say that I'm already thankful to have him in office just for vocalizing what needs to happen in the official position hes in.

Now to touch on one thing that I've seen a few times in this thread: The whole marriage thing.
First and foremost politics is all about bargaining. I know bargaining with Human Rights doesn't seem right but with what he is attempting would be the best option presented before him. You have to please the christian community in some way but you have to try and aim down the middle. The best motion would be to do away with marriage completely as a legal term, let everyone get civil unions and then let a church marry you... but that will never happen. So with having a "Separate but equal" type thing you are really being fair... as long as the definition of the two is EXACTLY the same and grant the same boons by the same sources and to the same effect and there is a bill passed right afterwords called something resembling an anti-discriminatory act based on civil union status. This keeps the christian community happy with a country that is based on christian values and then does its best for us to keep up. And his inclusion of other civil unions lets atheist be atheist, Buddhist be Buddhist, and gays be gays. If you wanna get married then find a Priest that will preform the ceremony, they are out there.

[Mark]

Well he can propose anything he wants that is his job. However, changing public sentiment and changing law is a different story, only congress can change law!

Don't Ask Don't Tell was a laugh. Gays serving in the military is going to be a big fight for him... good luck with that one. I say that after serving 16 years in the Air Force. I think there is more predjuce there anyplace.

[Shaun]

I teared up reading the white house web site...when i saw "Support for the LGBT Community" I took pause in the realization that i've never had a president stand for me. Finally. FINALLY.

[Me]

I laughed my ass off when I saw "Support for the LGBT Community" I took a dump in the toilet realizing that this fraud is all talk. It's cheaper than really being there for us when we needed him to help us defeat prop 8. FINALLY. There is proof that reincarnation is real. If not, how do you explain this black-skinned Joseph Goebbels?

[Jon Daniels]

Amen ! I'm glad our President invited Rick Warren to pray. Praying is not a bad thing. Prayer changes things. Who knows, miracle of miracles, we may even see a change in Rick Warren. It can happen, it has happened before. God is the same God to us all, and he's not opposed to changing the mind of people just like Rick. Perhaps our President invited him so he himself, our President could stand strong as an example to Rick that he supports us. After all, it's on the website and Rick is no dummy! Yep... I'm thankful guyz like Warren were invited to the most important day thus far in history. It should set an example, bear testimony, that this is only just the beginning of change. Real honest to goodness gay inclusive, color regardless....change! Amen and Amen....... Bring it on!

[Jono]

You can call it political positioning, not wanting to ruffle the Christian "right's" feathers all you want but in the end Obama's support for civil unions over marriage is just cowardly.
Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, the predominant religion is Catholic and yet they still all have same-sex marriage. South Africa has same-sex marriage even though most people there don't support it. Why? Because it's in their constitution that all are equal. Correct me if I'm wrong but is this not in the Declaration of Independence?
If Obama truly believed everything he said in that speech he gave Tuesday then he would be supporting same-sex marriage. I'm not saying you can't propose civil unions as a first step and push for it initially but he should support the right for same-sex couple to marry, to not do so is either cowardly or bigoted.

[Jonathan]

Guys. I know this sounds cliche, but stop looking at Obama and wondering what HE is gonna do for us. What are YOU going to do for US - and you - and your community? A change in attitude is in the air, but only if we do the things that promote change. A lot of you get involved in your local gay community and that's the best thing you can do. What most of us don't have are a sense of roots or belonging - just move from one urban area to another once the list of gay guys has been learned and it's getting boring. Then off to somewhere else. Stick around where you are and get to know other people. The more you do that, the more grounded we become, the more we have a sense of community and the less rude and catty we are on forums like these.

And the whole Canada thing - good luck. Unless you are a billionaire, a brain surgeon or a 'registered' North American Indian, if you're from the United States you have as much chance of getting permanent Canadian citizenship as you would winning the powerball. Canada doesn't want Americans moving there. They like their country small and manageable just the way it is.