Obama Talks to "The Advocate"

There is something for everyone in the LGBT community in this new interview in The Advocate with Democratic presidential front runner Sen. Barack Obama who talks with  Kerry Eleveld about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", ENDA, DOMA, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and, homophobia in the black church. It's probably his most extensive interview on gay, lesbian and transgender  issues and expands upon his earlier conversations with The Advocate and LOGO/HRC.

Obama outlines the basic LGBT legislation agenda that his Administration would push for, the building blocks we discussed last summer in a op-ed for LOGO. "I reasonably can see 'don’t ask, don’t tell' eliminated. I think that I can help usher through an Employment Non-Discrimination Act and sign it into law," the senator explains and reiterates support for "including gender identity in legislation. He admits passing a trans-inclusive bill is "going to be tough ... it is a heavy lift through Congress." Obama's answer on a trans-inclusive ENDA will probably infuriate some activists, but, it's the same position shared by Sen. Clinton. Realistic and consistent.

More realism in his answers on "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell":

I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obviously, there are so many issues that a member of the Joint Chiefs has to deal with, and my paramount obligation is to get the best possible people to keep America safe. But I think there’s increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy.

The current Joints Chiefs Chairman, Admiral Michael Mullen, has said he would "love to have Congress make its own decisions" with respect to considering the repeal. Given the widespread support in Congress, that could probably happen in 2009 or 2010. This is a good position.

The senator also addressed the widespread criticism in the gay press and LGBT community over access and his reluctance to grant interviews. (First mentioned here in late February, more at Queery.) It's part of his "big tent" philosophy, he says. "I haven’t been silent on gay issues. What’s happened is, I speak oftentimes to gay issues to a public general audience. When I spoke at Ebenezer Church for King Day, I talked about the need to get over the homophobia in the African-American community, when I deliver my stump speeches routinely I talk about the way that antigay sentiment is used to divide the country and distract us from issues that we need to be working on."

Obama is absolutely correct. As we've mentioned several times, and, in our column in the current issue of The Advocate, Obma excels at framing LGBT issues for larger audiences, Clinton is much more wonkish and comfortable discussing policy and strategy with gay groups and our press. (PDF) In a perfect world, both of the candidates could do both, but, it is what it is. This is a good interview and congrats to Kerry Eleveld and The Advocate.

Obama Talks All Things LGBT [Advocate]

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Comments

[Andy Niable]

Good post, Rod. As someone who leans (at nearly 45-degrees) for Obama, I've appreciated your reasoned criticism of him, as well as your efforts to give Obama credit when he earns it. Hopefully this will help calm any so-called "Obamatons" who might be unconvinced of your journalistically-trained ability to step back and analyze and present information about all the candidates.

Regardless of who is our man or woman in this race, we all need to be on our toes and aware of all sides. Thanks again for the fine coverage. Hope to see you in Denver. :)

[carl]

This a is a grest interview. I'm also an Obama fan but would like to see him interact more with the LGBt press and LGBT groups. Oh well, I'm sure tehre will be more of that in months to come.

[A. Ronald]

Andy, you bring up some good points, and I've read your comments before. I'm a Hillary fan--like Obama and Hillary, just like her more--and actually find Rod's coverage very fair on both candidates. He obviously likes Hillary more, which is his right, but doesn't "attack" Obama. He will criticize Obama, which is fair, but that seems to bother people because very few bloggers in the black blogs or liberal blogs every criticize Obama. If anything, he seems to be more irritated by "Obamabots" and "Obamatons" who go beserk whenever anyone suggests Obama is not the Messiah.

Moving along. This was a good interview. I like the fact that Obama mentions LGBT issues to mainstream audiences. And I like his answers on DADT and DOMA, they are very thoughtful.

Oh, and feel free to edit or delete if off-topic! TIA!

[Oliver W]

>>> If anything, he seems to be more irritated by "Obamabots" and "Obamatons" who go beserk whenever anyone suggests Obama is not the Messiah.

You mean HE is NOT?

LOL

[Homo N Harlem]

The Advocate interview was decent. Not much new ground was covered. Obama makes an interesting point about "identity politics." No offense, but much of his success was built upon identity politics. It seems odd to forsake it now.

[Greg G]

I'm not really sure why Obama refused the interviews at all those gay newspapers. It's not like he has anything to hide. He is very good on the issues.

[Morris Goode]

I thought the interview was excellent! It reinforced the reasons why I support his candidacy: his big tent philosophy of bringing different people together and his pragmatism in knowing compromises will be needed in getting these disparate groups to work together so that the country can move forward.