Obama Outlines LGBT Goals and Will "Speak Out" on "Homophobia"

Earlier this primary season the Barack Obama campaign made history with the first ever LGBT specific presidential advertisement. The theme continues as President-Elect Barack Obama outlines his Administration's policy agenda for the LGBT community and promises to continue to "speak out" about "homophobia."

In a subsection at the Change.gov page devoted to civil rights, the Obama transition outlines an 8-point plan for LGBT rights. The transition team will: Expand Hate Crimes Statutes; Fight Workplace Discrimination; Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples; Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage; Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell; Expand Adoption Rights; Promote AIDS Prevention; and Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS.

Several items in the LGBT position paper stand out. In the bullet point under ENDA, the Obam-Biden team specifically says "anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity." This is of particular interest to the black LGBT community: Obama promises a national HIV/AIDS startegy and notes he has 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." On several occasions Obama has spoken out about the homophobia in the black church and said a more tolerant climate would end the stigma associated with HIV. Obama could be the first president to include reducing homophobia in a transition policy agenda.

President-Elect Barack Obama's 8-point plan for the LGBT community is impressive. Given the dire situation of the economy and the financial markets, as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's very unlikely he will move on any of these issues in the first 100 days. But it's comforting our new president is outlining an early, inclusive action plan.

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Some Background ...
Obama Addresses Homophobia and Anti-Semitism [R20]
Michelle O at DNC Gay & Lesbian Ldrshp Council [R20]
Michelle Obama to Keynote DNC Gay Ldrship Council [R20]
Obama Camp Marches in Boston, DC and Indy Prides [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
Obama: Not "Very Christian" to Criticize Gays [R20]
Obama Buys Ads in Gay Newspapers in TX, OH [R20]
Obama: Hospital Visitation for Gay Couples is "Not a Special Privilege" [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [The Advocate + PDF]
A Tale of Two Cities [The Advocate]
I Have a Dream ... Ticket [The Advocate]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Obama Conference Call [R20]

Comments

[elg]

"On several occasions Obama has spoken out about the homophobia in the black church and said a more tolerant climate would end the stigma associated with HIV."

Obama has spoken out, more than once, against homophobia in black churches. Has he spoken out on homophobia in white, Latino or Asian churches? The implication, true or not, is that blacks are more homophobic than other ethnic groups.

[Duwayne]

This is wonderful! Go Obama!

[Greg G]

Umm, ELG, that really really was lame.

There is no way someone who reads this blog doesn't know that Rod has always talked about homophobia by evangelicals and Republicans .... and talked about homophobia in our churches and neiighborhoods.

I am surprised you even fixed your mouth to say that.

[Greg G]

Rod, one more thing, go back to that story you did on GOV PATERSON and gay marriage in HARLEM. Wasn't this the same ELG who was arguing against you that BLACKS WERE MORE ANTI-GAY THAN WHITES??

Seriously. I have read many of her comments. I think she is just another hater who just comes here to argue with anything you say. Please ban her.

[Franco]

I am so proud of our new president, he is 'changing' the face of Washington. I am looking forward to the repeal of military ban and the ENDA ... but i can wait while he works on the economy. Thanks for putting it out there Mister President.

[QH]

Three words: DO IT OBAMA! This man is bridging gaps and uniting all people. He better work.-QH

[elg]

Rod: I know that you have criticized the media and gay blogs for blaming Prop 8's passage on black voters.

I know that it's controversial to say that black people are more homophobic than other ethnic groups but I believe it's true. I didn't always think this way but several years or so ago my thinking changed. I don't think that the black vote determined the outcome on Prop. 8 but I do think the exit poll showing 70% of blacks voted in favor of Prop. 8 was accurate within the MOE (margin of error).

Greg G: I am a black gay man who disagrees with you on this topic. That does not make me a bad person or do you think it does? Can we agree to disagree or is that asking too much?

[aaronthemoor]

perhaps one day in the not to far-flung future someone will explain to me why is that the subject of homophobia...rampant in african-american churches...has to be tip-toed around...

it's funny, you would think that if anyone is being discriminated against, that black people would be the first wave the banner, but that's not the truth.

since the apex of the civil rights movement, black people have failed to realize that the best way to eliminate racial discrimination is to bond together to assist others who are being discriminated against.

i listened to d.l. huguley the other night on cnn speaking as though black people are somehow unique when it comes to discrimination.

i wish he had the courage to have said that more often that not people who happen to be black and gay are most often discriminated against by other black people.

yes, there are some white devils. still, there are some blacks who give the devil a run for their money when it comes to homophobia...

[Rod Mc]

ELG, really, you need to stop. I applaud Obama for talking about homophobia in black churches, you deny "blacks are more homophobic." Now you claim they are, after a previous a post you insisted they were "not." And exit polls do not have margins of error. I'm done with you.

Aaron, this is your first comment and there are dozens of posts on homophobia in black churches and community. There is just one yesterday on the killing of a young black transgender girl. But if you're citing STANDUP COMEDIAN DL Hughley as your authority, there is nothing left to discuss.

[aaronthemoor]

not citing as an authority...merely pointing out that there was a chance for someone who has a national platform to speak honestly about a subject that is worth discussing...

i still maintain that discrimination is a disease that has to be confronted on more than one front...it's not enough for black people only to be disgusted by racial discrimination...as people of colour, there should be outcries against anyone who is making others targets of their hate...

[Nathan James]

I commend President Obama for his bold stance on homophobia across the board. He has the makings of a great progressive leader. I am eager to see his policy and position on HIV/AIDS prevention, education and treatment. Ending the "stigma" of HIV/AIDS is a good place to start.

For too long, HIV has been a silent epidemic within communities of color, gay AND straight. I know a straight
black woman who was diagnosed with HIV far too late by her doctor (another West Indian) because she did not, in his mind, fit the profile of a possible HIV patient!

This goes to the core of the problem among many people of color. HIV is not recognized as the serious condition that it is, nor are HIV patients treated with lovingkindness by much of society. The attitude that "only those lowly gays and lesbians get HIV" is still rampant and needs to be addressed by the Obama administration. That's leadership, and I believe Obama is the very man to lead us into a better day.

I do consider homophobia to be severe among people of color, but no more so than among other groups of people. Black homophobia has just been made more visible in recent weeks. It will be up to the American people to understand that we will only conquer HIV/AIDS if we work together, instead of against each other.

[DFS]

Back to the subject of the post, I'm still pinching myself that we have a president who includes these issues as part of his agenda, in such stark contrast to what we have had for the past 8 years.

[DFS]

Back to the subject of the post, I'm still pinching myself that we have a president who includes these issues as part of his agenda, in such stark contrast to what we have had for the past 8 years.