As you know, I rarely weigh in on politics (for a reason). However, I’ve been mulling this one over for awhile now. I’m quite sure my opinion is in the minority. Well, that is why its called an opinion. Just like assholes, ever body has one. I’ve been reading a lot of the fall out over Obama’s lackluster support for LGBT rights, gay marriage, and opposing DOMA, DODT, etc. [1]Maybe because we’ve become selfish and only notice instant gratification? Specifically, all the indignation about how our current Prez has ‘failed us’.
For the record, I am disappointed in our current President. He could be doing more to promote equality for the LGBT community. That said, I’m not ready to throw the book or even give up on him just yet. I’d like to think I have a more pragmatic view but that’s just me. When I voted for Obama, I did so knowing he would not wave a magic wand and fix everything overnight. I voted for him thinking he was the best choice of the candidates available to choose from. I still support that decision. Was he perfect for gays? No. We knew that ahead of time. Will he deliver on everything he promised? Probably not. What President ever has? The last President who rushed into trying to overcome centuries of prejudice left us with DADT. Oh what a great compromise that turned out to be.
While I am disappointed by Obama’s lackluster support, I am also trying to see the bigger picture here. Our country is facing some of the largest crises in our history. Our financial markets are practically in ruins from rampant deregulation. Our country is virtually broke and we are “robbing Peter to pay Paul”. [2]If China called in our debt, this would be the US of China. Our healthcare system is on the verge of collapsing under its on mismanaged weight. More and more companies are going under daily and adding to the already record numbers of unemployed. Not to mention, we are facing two wars overseas, a pending disaster with North Korea, and now Iran’s turmoil threatens to embroil us even further.
And here is the part that irritates me the most. We are quick to jump on the “he let us down” bandwagon, but in California during the Prop 8 campaign, the number of identified LGBT voters was way lower than our actual numbers. Had more of us stood up and exercised our constitutional right to vote, I firmly believe Prop 8 would have failed. Many foolishly assumed it was ‘shoe-in’ so they did nothing while our enemies mobilized their own numbers. And look where our complacency and indifference got us. Oh yes, we were quick to point fingers and blame. And I ask you, what has that gotten us? Nothing, zero, zip, nadda, zilch. Personally, I see it as a cop-out. We blame others in an effort to absolve ourselves of any personal responsibility. In the process, we give up our power and relegate ourselves to the “helpless victim” mentality. How many of you reading this right now has contacted a single government representative at any level? Even simpler, have you done anything at all, besides complain?
I have a radical idea. How about we get off our collective asses and get involved. Whether it be thru voting, marching, volunteering, educating, donating, whatever. Everyone of us can contribute, one way or another. Contact your local, State, and Federal representatives and let them know you expect results. In an age of electronic communication, its as simple as type and click. We can forward stupid memes, pics, porn, and funny emails till we are blue in the face, but we can’t contact our elected leaders? How sad is that?
Instead of whining like petulant children about how “Obama has failed us”, we should be focused on continually keeping our struggles in the public eye. No matter how hard the haters try, we are not going away. Stop sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone else to protect us. No one is asking you to go broke for the cause but every single person can find small luxury items that could be converted to donations for LGBT organizations. [3]Booze, bars, cigarettes, starbucks, porn, etc. Blasphemy, I know. Volunteer to man phone banks, mailing lists, voter registrations, street walking campaigns, etc. There are a ton of ways each and every one of us can be part of the solution.
The point here is pinning all our hopes on one man and then getting angry when he doesn’t deliver is foolish and naive. Yes, he could be doing better. Yes, we should hold him accountable for his promises. And yes, we should continue to demand more. But, the same is true of ourselves.
/rant
Amen, bro!
I realize all teh Partnered gayz are all pissy right now and Obama-hating.
Personally, I'm infinitely more concerned with fixing up the country so that it exists in the near future. What good are gay rights if the US collapses??
Very nicely put. While I do think the economic crises is of vast importance to us all, our civil rights have been forsaken for too long.
In January, I was told very bluntly by my local gym that they only offered a family discount for a "traditional relationship". It angered me so much because it made me feel like a second class citizen.
It is my firm view that advancing GLBT rights on a Federal level will have a trickle down effect everywhere. That is why it is so important to receive that from our Democratic leaders.
I have personally just written both the DNC and my local Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu voicing my impatience. I encourage everyone to do the same.
I write to my elected representative constantly, including President Obama. You can be involved by holding their feet to the fire and let them know, you are aware of what they are, and are not doing!
I'm a little impatient I know, but now is not the time to be timid. This country is in a sad state of affairs. Go big. Go bold. And, do it now, while there still political capital to be spent.
While it's not my country, it's still my problem.
By which of course I mean that I've made the effort. I've written to Members of Parliament, I've supported candidates who deliver the best chances of making a difference and I've joined protests to bring a little public attention to our plight.
Nothing will change overnight, it isn't that easy but a little involvement from all members of the community will certainly help speed things up… Get involved!!! Help make a positive change.
I go to http://www.change.org as one of my outlets for making change happen – there, you can find causes that need support, write letters to your representatives and spread the word to others on important issues.
I'll admit that I am a bit disappointed, but I'm not ready to give up the "hope" just yet. It is just possible that President Obama's DOJ statement on DOMA is a good thing in that it has angered the LGBT community and therefore forces us to be more vocal rather than passive. Civil rights have never been granted to any group that just sat by quietly and patiently waited.
What a horrible gravatar!
Thank you for your rant. I couldn't agree more. I recently was telling a friend how I felt about Obama's stance on gay issues. She said, "You knew that when you voted for him." She was right. I knew he did not support gay marriage, just civil unions.
I guess I am more disappointed in the gay community's apathy. I know of many gays who didn't even vote. If they don't take themselves seriously, who will? They are just content to let others decide what rights they should have. I'm terrified that until we can get our community to care enough about itself to even vote (which has never been easier), we will continue to see our rights pushed aside, or worse, revoked.
How can we expect others to care about us if we don't even care about us? Thanks again for sharing.