Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyJune 16th, 2009
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jared Polis (D-CO), two of the three openly gay representatives in Congress, have released statements reacting to the Justice Department’s brief defending the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.” First up, Rep. Baldwin (no link):
Last week the Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of DOMA. I was profoundly disappointed by this action, particularly coming from this administration. I still take President Obama at his word that he is committed to the repeal of DOMA. I also recognize that he cannot do it alone. Congress has the responsibility on its shoulders to pass legislation that would give the opportunity to the President to keep his word and ensure that all married people, including those in same-sex marriages, enjoy the same rights under federal law.”
I was shocked and disappointed to learn that President Obama chose to defend DOMA in federal court, especially given his campaign promise to call for a full repeal of DOMA. My sadness turned to outrage when I read the Justice Department\’s brief that not only defended this hurtful law but seemed to embrace it. Comparing my loving relationship with my partner, Marlon, to incest was unconscionable coming from a president who has called for change.
Since this filing, I have called on the President to issue a statement or give any sign that would clarify his position and am disappointed in his lack of reply.
I am a proud Democrat, as are many in the GLBT community, and I believe we must hold our leaders accountable. The Obama Administration made a HUGE mistake in the DOMA brief. If they keep making mistakes like this, they risk losing the support of the GLBT community forever, although I do not believe we are at that point yet.
President Obama needs to honor his promise to repeal this law and end its needlessly divisive and harmful impact on our nation. I again call on him to work with us in Congress to help pass legislation, ending this hateful and divisive law.
As the New York Times editorialized yesterday, “busy calendars and political expediency are no excuse for making one group of Americans wait any longer for equal rights.”
A statement from Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) is conspicuously missing.
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Timothy Kincaid
June 16th, 2009
John McCain earned 27% of gay voters simply by not making gay issues a part of his campaign while Obama promised the world.
If Obama doesn’t come through and if a Republican is at least as supportive (or non-hostile) as McCain in 2010, I think that this number will be quite a bit larger. Or alternately the 3% of “other” may grow significantly.
Yeah, we’re only 4% of voters. But here are also some other voter constituencies that won’t be ignored in 2010:
Ever in military – 15%
African Americans – 13%
Union members – 12%
Latinos – 9%
Jews – 2%
Asians – 2%
No one has forgotten that a handful of Floridians in 2000 decided an election. Do you think that 4% didn’t matter then?
Andrew
June 16th, 2009
Here me now. The Dems have through the next 12 months or I will return to the “dark side” and start voting my pocketbook again – spell that GOP. If it’s all the same, if the Dems aren’t any more likely to appropriately respect me and my community… what, exactly, is the point?
Leonard Drake
June 17th, 2009
“If Obama doesn’t come through and if a Republican is at least as supportive (or non-hostile) as McCain in 2010…”
Unless everyone on this blog is discussing the Congressional elections, I would like to point out the next Presidential election takes place in 2012.
Louie
June 17th, 2009
I say to heck with BOTH the GOP and the DNC!
We either need our own party or join the Libertarian Party and increase it’s political clout!
Timothy Kincaid
June 17th, 2009
oooop… duh, I meant 2012
thanks, Leonard
Ephilei
June 17th, 2009
Because Frank is cursing behind closed doors.
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