Comments on: Obama To Speak At HRC Dinner

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:41:56 +0000

Wouldn’t it be a great idea to just mail Obama a bunch of paper plates- the idea being that since his own plate is “too full”, we’ll lend him some of ours so he has room.

Could make for a good fundraiser.

By: John

John — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:48:35 +0000

I think that HRC may be sending the wrong message to Obama. In politics, there is no reason to support someone who is not supporting your causes. I won’t be contributing to or voting for this President unless and until he makes good on some of his promises to the gay community (the least important of which is Hate Crimes). I contributed to his campaigns in the past and won’t do so again, unless I have a very good reason. I think that is the message that he should be getting from all gay and lesbian Americans.

By: Ken in Riverside

Ken in Riverside — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:14:52 +0000

Timothy, I appreciate your moderate tone but I’m afraid that this is only symbolic of a decrease in political risk associated with asking gays for their money.

I’m receptive to arguments that we shouldn’t expect the impossible. However, we shouldn’t forget that repealing DADT is supported by more than 70% of the population. I think Andrew Sullivan says it best:

To translate this: the Democratic Party, with solid majorities in House and Senate and a Democratic president in the White House refuses to end discrimination against gay servicemembers, who are risking their lives for this country at a time of war. The Human Rights Campaign has no ability to translate over 70 percent public support for a measure into votes (ending employment discrimination against gays has over 80 percent support but HRC is so irrelevant it hasn’t been able to get that passed for two decades).

source

But Obama tells us, “the time’s not right.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr tells us, “Man’s inhumanity to man is not only perpetrated by the vitriolic actions of those who are bad. It is also perpetrated by the vitiating inaction of those who are good.”

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:04:17 +0000

I am not at this time a great admirer of this President. However, I do want to remind us that a gay rights advocacy group is being addressed by The President of the United States. It is a big deal.

Am I cynical about whether he will give a glowing speech with words of passion and conviction… but no specifics or follow-through? Yes. I am.

Nonetheless, in the midst of our disappointment over his behavior to date, and though this is likely only symbolic, it is a symbol that is in some ways beneficial.

We should appreciate that President Obama is coming. And for that I am grateful.

By: Richard W. Fitch

Richard W. Fitch — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:14:01 +0000

...And here he is again - Rep Patrick Murphy (D-PA) organizing an after hours session for members of the House to speak-up, speak-out on DADT.

By: Skip Kotzbacher

Skip Kotzbacher — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:35:38 +0000

I can really understand the frustration in the GLBT community and my partner and I have been supporters of HRC for almost 25 years. We are proud of that and I personally have great admiration for this President, I say be patient but persistent and hope that he will come through on at least a few of the promises he made. Let’s face it, few people in this country care about our life, our cause, and our lack of equality, it is going to take much more time and patience is required. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be held accountable for what he said while campaigning but I’m not ready to give up on him yet, just the fact that he will attend the dinner is a big deal for me after 8yrs of Bush. Maybe I”m just getting older and don’t care, but I really do think he is our best hope for real change from the top. I’m going to be patient, at least another six months before I give up and get depressed.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:49:28 +0000

Yes, Regan: real lives, real people in the real world should be the focus. I’m highly skeptical, though, that will be the focus at the Equality Dinner. And I’d guess there will be neither boos nor silence, but a standing ovation.

By: Regan DuCasse

Regan DuCasse — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:10:11 +0000

I don’t get why HRC is doing so much ass kissing. The President clearly keeps showing up, but leaving gay folks EMPTY handed.
He has shown a remarkable lack of backbone. Yes, this country is in serious financial straits. But a disenfranchised minority will ALWAYS suffer more while it’s happening, yet Obama looks to gay people for support and not insulting him….as he, by default, insults the gay community.

No more waiting. Real lives and real people and their real family issues, don’t have the luxury of waiting.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:33:07 +0000

I’ve thought about it – rather than having people boo, I would rather they remain silent. No applause, no booing, no acknowledgment of his existence. It’s seems much more symbolic and appropriate.

But this is the HRC. So, they’ll no doubt lavish praise on him.

By: JJQR

JJQR — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:33:45 +0000

Yelling “You lie!” is useless though. We already know that.