There have been many diaries recently about the Obama administration's lack of action on LGBT issues. While many of them have been nothing but pure rants (which have quickly attracted the ire of many Kossacks), it is difficult for me to judge these diaries because many of us see what could be. Bill Maher addressed this frustration very eloquently on Real Time.
Gay people, many of whom worked tirelessly to elect the President of New Possibilities feel as if he has suddenly turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to our concerns.
Today's announcement of giving benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers is a perfect case in point. While, at first blush, it seems encouraging, when one learns the details, it falls incredibly short.
First, it's a presidential memo, not an executive order, so, according to Chuck Todd, the benefits will expire when Obama leaves office. Why in the world would he not simply sign an executive order?
Second, it definitely doesn't include health benefits, but, according to many experts, because of DOMA, it won't include retirement benefits either. These are arguably to the two most important benefits that same-sex partners of federal workers need. I know, because I happen to be a same-sex partner of a federal employee. If he should die, I won't receive a penny of his retirement money, even though we are State Registered Domestic Partners in the state where we live.
The reason Prop 8 was such a blow is because when one finally wins the right to something, it is simply unbelievable that those rights can be stripped away by a simple majority vote of the people. And just when we thought we have a "fierce advocate" in the White House, we discover that, seemingly, we don't even have a friend. To stand up for the most basic human rights.
For those of you who say, "He's only been in office for so-and-so months," I say this: Today, Obama is taking the time to address the issue of benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers and he's intentionally watering it down by signing a memo instead of an executive order. He's NOT including the most basic and the most beneficial benefits. Nor is he even saying a word to the people who are using his name to justify denying the right of same-sex couples to marry. A statement takes ten seconds out of his schedule. I think he can spare the time.