I want to encourage everyone to visit Change.Gov to read up on the latest regarding President-Elect Obama's transition to the White House. When I first signed on to this campaign there were a great deal of us in the GLBT community who were nervous about Obama's support. What finally convinced me to step out on faith was the difference between Obama's website and Clinton's. There was no where on the Clinton website that talked about the issues of the GLBT community, Obama's did, then I watched the interviews with the Democratic candidates on LOGO and learned that Barack was the first to agree to appear, Hillary was the last of all of the candidates to agree to appear. I thought that was pretty telling as far as their commitment to our issues
Visit the website here: Change.Gov
While I found there were many issues that I thought were not covered on the campaign website I took a leap of faith and jumped on board. What I wanted to share with you was what is included under "Civil Rights" which is listed in the "Agenda" portion of the website. This is the most comprehensive and detailed listing of Gay Rights that I have ever seen written out for the entire world to see. While some may parse words over "Marriage" I will gladly accept "Civil Unions" as this plan is written. Read it and maybe you too will feel the incredible sense that yes, we just may change the world, and in our lifetime...who would have believed that 15 years ago?
Here is the best part:
The Obama-Biden Plan
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.
Fight Workplace Discrimination: Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would 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. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.
Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.
Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.
Expand Adoption Rights: Barack Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.
Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, Barack Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. Obama will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. Obama also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. He will continue to speak out on this issue as president.
Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.
These are the issues that have been near and dear to my heart for over twenty years now. I know that all of these proposals will probably not get passed during his tenure but to see them in writing says a great deal to me about the commitment of our President-Elect to at least begin having the conversation about finally having our country treat all of it's citizens the same. It renews my faith in the world and in politics in the good old USA.
Update #1: I always love a good debate. I like dissention, and knowing that sometimes we can agree to disagee. What I find really disturbing is to be attacked personally just because my beliefs differ from some of those in the chattering class. It is entirely your right to disagree with me but please keep it within the boundaries of civil discourse. Do not call me ignorant, I have been an active participant in the LGBT movement for the last 20 years and to attack me personally just because my beliefs are different than yours makes you about even with the religious right.