7. OBAMA ON GOSPEL TOUR = MANY ARTICLES
8. OBAMA WON'T THROW GAYS UNDER THE BUS WILL HILLARY?
9. OBAMA ON PRIDE MONTH AND STATEMENT ON LGBT RIGHTS
10. GAY MAN CHARLES MERRILL TALKS TO ME ABOUT OBAMA CLINTON EDWARDS BY IM
TOO SEE LONG BLOG - CLICK - READ MORE
Barack Obama defends gospel-tour decisions Friday, October 26, 2007 / 04:33 PM
SUMMARY: The senator talks with the Advocate on why a homophobic singer was invited on his tour and whether adding a gay pastor really balances things out.
When Sen. Barack Obama's campaign said Donnie McClurkin would be among the featured singers on the presidential candidate's gospel tour in South Carolina this weekend, it inadvertently stepped into the void between African-American Christians and gay men and lesbians.
McClurkin, an award-winning gospel singer who has struggled with his sexuality for years, has called homosexuality a "curse" and against "the intention of God."
The tour aims to up Obama's numbers among a crucial black demographic that made up 47 percent of South Carolina's Democratic primary voters in 2004 and among whom Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton are running neck-and-neck in recent polls.
Rather than oust McClurkin, the campaign found a third way, adding gay minister Andy Sidden to the lineup Wednesday.
LGBT people might well ask, Weren't Obama and his campaign versed enough in the pain of those he calls his "gay brothers and sisters" to see the McClurkin land mine before they rolled over it?
And can Obama really, as he claims, create the "big tent" movement he's been selling -- among voters who disagree on something as fundamental as what constitutes love?
The Advocate: How did this happen? Was Mr. McClurkin vetted?
Sen. Obama: Obviously, not vetted to the extent that people were aware of his attitudes with respect to gay and lesbians, LGBT issues -- at least not vetted as well as I would have liked to see.
Having said that, we viewed this simply as an opportunity to have a gospel concert as part of our overall outreach, and since he was singing at a concert along with a number of other artists, as opposed to being a spokesperson for us, probably it didn't undergo the same kind of vet that someone who was serving as a surrogate for me might have.
Some black gay activists I've spoken to say this doesn't make them question Obama the senator, but it does make them question the campaign -- do they really understand the nuances of these issues, are they really sitting down and talking with gay folks, because it seems like this decision came purely through the lens of faith?
Look, these kinds of issues are going to crop up inevitably through the course of campaigns. It's important to recognize that these are issues that every Democratic candidate who has African-American ministers as supporters may have to confront. It just so happened that it popped up on the screen in this particular instance. But I assure you, I am not the only candidate who's got a black minister or a white minister who's supporting them prominently who subscribes to similar views.
Part of the reason that we have had a faith outreach in our campaigns is precisely because I don't think the LGBT community or the Democratic Party is served by being hermetically sealed from the faith community and not in dialogue with a substantial portion of the electorate, even though we may disagree with them.
Part of what I have done in my campaign and in my career is be willing to go to churches and talk to ministers and tell them exactly what I think. And go straight at some of these issues of homophobia that exist in the church in a way that no other candidate has done. I believe that's important. We can try to pretend these issues don't exist and then be surprised when a gay-marriage amendment pops up and is surprisingly successful in a state. I think the better strategy is to take it head on and we've got to show up. These people of faith may be operating in part out of unfamiliarity, or they may be insular in terms of how they're viewing LGBT issues, they may not understand how what they say may be hurtful, and the only way for us to be able to communicate that is to show up.
I know you're in a difficult position here trying to balance these two constituencies -- but by keeping McClurkin on the tour, didn't you essentially choose your Christian constituency over your gay constituency?
No, I profoundly disagree with that. This is not a situation where I have backed off my positions one iota. You're talking to somebody who talked about gay Americans in his convention speech in 2004, who talked about them in his announcement speech for the president of the United States, who talks about gay Americans almost constantly in his stump speeches. If there's somebody out there who's been more consistent in including LGBT Americans in his or her vision of what America should be, then I would be interested in knowing who that person is.
One of the things that always comes up in presidential campaigns is, if you've got multiple supporters all over the place, should the candidate then be held responsible for the every single view of every one of his supporters? And obviously that's not possible. And if I start playing that game, then it will be very difficult for me to do what I think I can do best, which is bring the country together.
Look, when I went to Rick Warren's church at Saddleback, he was under enormous heat because, among his constituency, my position on LGBT issues and my position on abortion is anathema. So his position could have been, we will not have Obama speak because he does not subscribe to our views on these two issues. To his credit, he allowed me to speak, in his church, from his pulpit, to 2,000 evangelicals. And I didn't trim my remarks, I specifically told them, "I think you guys are wrong when it comes to issues like condom distribution. " And by the way, I got a standing ovation.
My views on gay issues and on choice issues are well-known. I did not trim my sails in the conversation I had with them. And I think as a consequence of appearances like that, I am helping to encourage understanding that will ultimately strengthen the cause of LGBT rights.
At some point, if we are going to have a conversation on these issues, what I expect to be judged by in the LGBT community is, have I been a strong advocate, have I been a forceful advocate, have I avoided these issues in any way. And If I have not, then that's how I expect to be judged.
Does this tour mark a turning point in the campaign where you're more focused on wooing voters than fund-raising?
I recognize why this has attracted attention in the LGBT community, (but) in terms of our overall campaign strategy, it's just one among multiple things that we've been doing in South Carolina. People in South Carolina listen to gospel music, so we have organized some gospel concerts. Black folks in South Carolina frequent barbershops and beauty shops, so we've had a barbershop-beauty shop strategy. And by the way, I can't vouch for the opinions of every barbershop and beauty-shop owner in South Carolina. But that is where people go, and so we've organized a particular way of reaching out to African-American voters in the barbershops and beauty shops. So this is just part of an ongoing strategy with multiple parts.
You have intimated that Sen. Clinton is perhaps declaring victory too soon. Looking at the polling, things don't look good for you in New Hampshire, Iowa's iffy, South Carolina doesn't look great . . . If you don't win one of those three states, where does your campaign go from there?
Well, I wouldn't agree with the characterization -- we are basically tied in Iowa, we're down in New Hampshire, and in South Carolina it's highly competitive. We have always known that in order to do well we've got to do well in the early states, and we expect to do well in the early states because that's where we're focusing our attention. We never expected to be able to compete in national polls two months before the first vote was cast because we're running against the dominant brand name in the Democratic Party over the last 20 years.
But for your audience, your readership, the one thing that I do want to make sure is included in this article is that on issues from "don't ask, don't tell" to DOMA to the gay marriage amendment to the human rights ordinance in Illinois that is the equivalent of what we've been attempting to do at the federal level, and that I was a chief cosponsor of, and then passed -- there has not been a stronger and more consistent advocate on LGBT issues than I have been.
And it is interesting to me and obviously speaks to the greater outreach that we have to do that that isn't a greater source of interest and pride on the part of the LGBT community. (Kerry Eleveld, The Advocate)
Obama Campaign Releases Open Letter From Supporters On Controversial Reverend
Senator Barack Obama's campaign has been struggling with its decision to hold a gospel tour in South Carolina with an anti-homosexual pastor, Donnie McClurkin.
After much criticism from gay rights groups and others, they tried inviting an openly gay minister to appear before McClurkin. But that didn't work - the Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solomonese expressed more disappointment in having the pastor on the stage and only said he hoped Obama "will move forward and facilitate face to face meetings with religious leaders, like Rev. McClurkin, and the GLBT community to confront the issue of homophobia."
Now the senator's campaign is trying to show that he's doing just that. An open letter signed by 16 LGBT and black religious leaders says that Obama is reaching out to bring blacks and homosexuals together. But Obama makes clear that even if he disagrees with African-Americans who are anti-gay, he still wants their votes.
"We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters," the letter states. "And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree."
Update: AmericaBlog's John Aravosis, who has been driving this story, reacts to the letter here.
The full letter with its signatories can be read after the jump.
To Whom It May Concern:As representatives of Barack Obama supporters from the African American religious community and the gay community, we are issuing a statement together for the first time. Our letter addresses the recent issue of Pastor Donnie McClurkin singing at Senator Obama's "Embrace the Change" concert series. In the midst of division, we hope and believe that this is a moment to bring together communities that have been divided for far too long. A few things are clear. First, Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans. This cannot and should not be denied.At the same time, a great many African Americans share Pastor McClurkin's beliefs. This also cannot be ignored.Finally, we believe that the only way for these two sides to find common ground is to do so together. Not at arms length. Not in a war of words with press and pundits. Only together. It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal. In gatherings of LGBT Americans and African Americans of faith, Obama has stated that all individuals should be afforded full civil rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and that homophobia must be eradicated in every corner of our nation. If we are to end homophobia and secure full civil rights for gay Americans, then we need an advocate within the Black community like Barack Obama. At the same time, while Obama has said that he "strongly disagrees" with Pastor McClurkin's comments, he will not exclude from his campaign the many Americans including many in the African American community who believe the same as Pastor McClurkin.We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters. And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.We also ask Senator Obama's critics to consider the alternatives. Would we prefer a candidate who ignores the realities in the African American community and cuts off millions of Blacks who believe things offensive to many Americans? Or a panderer who tells African Americans what they want to hear, at the expense of our gay brothers and sisters? Or would we rather stand with Barack Obama, who speaks truth in love to both sides, pulling no punches but foreclosing no opportunities to engage?We stand with Senator Obama. We stand with him because of the solutions he is proposing for our nation. We stand with him because of his character and his judgment. But the most important reason we stand with him is because today, as he has done all along, Barack Obama is causing us to stand together. That's the kind of President we need, and we are proud to support him. Sincerely,Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.Olivet Institutional Baptist ChurchChair, Obama National African American Religious Leaders Working GroupCleveland, OhioStampp CorbinChair, Obama National LGBT Leadership CouncilFormer Member of Human Rights Campaign Board of DirectorsColumbus, OhioTobias Barrington WolffChair, Obama LGBT Policy CommitteeProfessor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law SchoolPhiladelphia, PAThe Reverend Stephen John ThurstonPresidentNational Baptist Convention of AmericaChicago, ILThe Reverend Alvin LovePresidentBaptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc.Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr.Office of Ecumenical & Urban AffairsAfrican Methodist Episcopal ChurchAtlanta, GASteven Latasa-NicksPresident, The Phelon Group, Inc.Former Human Rights Campaign Board of GovernorsNew York, NYMaxim ThorneFormer COO, Human Rights CampaignPaterson, NJPhil BurgessFormer Human Rights Campaign Board of DirectorsChicago, ILRev. Dr. Barbara Williams-SkinnerSkinner Leadership InstituteTracy's Landing, MDRev. Michael PflegerSt. Sabina, Chicago Rev. Edward TaylorSan Jose, CAThe Reverend Robert H. Thompson Exeter, NHSharon MalheiroLGBT ActivistDes Moines, IAHon. Jon CooperMajority Leader, Suffolk County (NY) LegislatureRev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr., PastorMt. Zion Congregational UCC
As representatives of Barack Obama supporters from the African American religious community and the gay community, we are issuing a statement together for the first time. Our letter addresses the recent issue of Pastor Donnie McClurkin singing at Senator Obama's "Embrace the Change" concert series. In the midst of division, we hope and believe that this is a moment to bring together communities that have been divided for far too long.
A few things are clear. First, Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans. This cannot and should not be denied.At the same time, a great many African Americans share Pastor McClurkin's beliefs. This also cannot be ignored.Finally, we believe that the only way for these two sides to find common ground is to do so together. Not at arms length. Not in a war of words with press and pundits. Only together. It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal. In gatherings of LGBT Americans and African Americans of faith, Obama has stated that all individuals should be afforded full civil rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and that homophobia must be eradicated in every corner of our nation. If we are to end homophobia and secure full civil rights for gay Americans, then we need an advocate within the Black community like Barack Obama. At the same time, while Obama has said that he "strongly disagrees" with Pastor McClurkin's comments, he will not exclude from his campaign the many Americans including many in the African American community who believe the same as Pastor McClurkin.We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters. And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.We also ask Senator Obama's critics to consider the alternatives. Would we prefer a candidate who ignores the realities in the African American community and cuts off millions of Blacks who believe things offensive to many Americans? Or a panderer who tells African Americans what they want to hear, at the expense of our gay brothers and sisters? Or would we rather stand with Barack Obama, who speaks truth in love to both sides, pulling no punches but foreclosing no opportunities to engage?We stand with Senator Obama. We stand with him because of the solutions he is proposing for our nation. We stand with him because of his character and his judgment. But the most important reason we stand with him is because today, as he has done all along, Barack Obama is causing us to stand together. That's the kind of President we need, and we are proud to support him. Sincerely,Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.Olivet Institutional Baptist ChurchChair, Obama National African American Religious Leaders Working GroupCleveland, OhioStampp CorbinChair, Obama National LGBT Leadership CouncilFormer Member of Human Rights Campaign Board of DirectorsColumbus, OhioTobias Barrington WolffChair, Obama LGBT Policy CommitteeProfessor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law SchoolPhiladelphia, PAThe Reverend Stephen John ThurstonPresidentNational Baptist Convention of AmericaChicago, ILThe Reverend Alvin LovePresidentBaptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc.Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr.Office of Ecumenical & Urban AffairsAfrican Methodist Episcopal ChurchAtlanta, GASteven Latasa-NicksPresident, The Phelon Group, Inc.Former Human Rights Campaign Board of GovernorsNew York, NYMaxim ThorneFormer COO, Human Rights CampaignPaterson, NJPhil BurgessFormer Human Rights Campaign Board of DirectorsChicago, ILRev. Dr. Barbara Williams-SkinnerSkinner Leadership InstituteTracy's Landing, MDRev. Michael PflegerSt. Sabina, Chicago
Rev. Edward TaylorSan Jose, CAThe Reverend Robert H. Thompson Exeter, NHSharon MalheiroLGBT ActivistDes Moines, IAHon. Jon CooperMajority Leader, Suffolk County (NY) LegislatureRev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr., PastorMt. Zion Congregational UCC
Gospel singer says he is not anti-gayBy Kelley L. Carter | Tribune staff reporter 6:09 AM CDT, October 24, 2007
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-1024mcclurkinoct24,1,4690186.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Gospel music superstar Donnie McClurkin says he was surprised to wake up Tuesday morning to a media firestorm.
The 47-year-old Grammy Award-winning musician is scheduled to perform this weekend at Sen. Barack Obama's three-day concert series in South Carolina. But in the wake of accusations by a gay-rights group that McClurkin falsely asserts that homosexuality is a choice, bloggers are calling for the Democratic presidential candidate to cancel the singer's Sunday night appearance, saying McClurkin's views are anti-gay and incite hate.
McClurkin told The Associated Press on Monday that "sexuality, everything is a matter of choice." But on Tuesday he told the Tribune that his ideals, and most importantly his ministry, were severely misconstrued.etcetcetc
"There's never been a statement made by me about curing homosexuality. People are using that in order to incite anger and to twist my whole platform on it. There's no crusade for curing it or to convert everyone. This is just for those who come to me and ask for change."
.............................. ....I believe him and think all of this is being pushed by clinton supporters.Danielle Clarke a transsexual transbian
Bill Clinton reportedly told John Kerry to throw gaysunder the bus during 2004 election. What is he tellingHillary, and is she listening? http://www.americablog.com/2007/06/bill-clinton-reportedly-told-john-kerry.htmlBill Clinton reportedly told John Kerry to throw gaysunder the bus during 2004 election. What is he tellingHillary, and is she listening? Link by John Aravosis (DC) · 6/07/2007 01:25:00 PM ET The Kerry Edwards 2004 campaign says Bill Clintontried to throw gays under the bus. Bill Clinton'soffice says it's not true. Who do we believe? And whatdoes this mean for Hillary Clinton's presidential run?As Pam Spaulding noted last week, Democratic politicalconsultant Bob Shrum claims in his new book thatduring the 2004 elections, Bill Clinton advised JohnKerry to support the Federal Marriage Amendment, i.e.,the anti-gay amendment to the US Constitution thatwould have banned gay marriage and vitiated scores ofother rights that gay couples may have, includinghealth insurance, inheritance, child custody,parenting, and more. Shrum reports that Kerry refusedto endorse the amendment. I decided to check with Bill Clinton's office and theKerry-Edwards 2004 campaign to find out if this istrue. Here is what I found. Jay Carson, spokesman for President Clinton told me: "I checked and it's completely untrue. He neveradvised John Kerry to support the gay marriage banPresident Bush was pushing." A senior Kerry-Edwards 2004 campaign staffer told me: "It's definitely true. Newsweek had reported thatClinton had said Kerry should support some of thestate [anti-gay] ballot initiatives. Clinton believedit would be this grand master stroke to neutralizeBush's base." I went back to both President Clinton's office and theKerry-Edwards campaign official, asking them toreconcile the apparent discrepancy. Clinton'sspokesman stands by his denial - to the best of hisknowledge, it didn't happen. The senior Kerry-Edwards2004 campaign staffer also stands by their statementthat it did happen, noting that Clinton's denial was"typical Clintonian revisionism." (As an aside, I also went back to Clinton's spokesmanto make sure that he wasn't parsing his words - i.e.,Clinton never advised Kerry to support the anti-gayamendment that Bush was pushing, but did he advise himto push any other version of the federal amendment?Clinton's spokesman assured me that there was nointent to parse, Clinton never advised Kerry tosupport any version of the federal constitutionalamendment.) Go back to the Clinton re-election campaign in 1995.Clinton hired Democratic strategist Mark Penn as hispollster and political adviser along withnow-conservative pundit Dick Morris. (Mark Penn isalso Hillary Clinton's chief strategist for hercurrent presidential run - more on that later). Penn,Morris and Clinton had decided that Clinton was goingto win the re-election based on his support for"family values." And family values meant "bashinggays." From TIME: By the time Clinton arrived in Chicago for his party'sconvention in August, nothing that hinted atliberalism was left hanging on him. When thePresident, who had begun his term advocating therights of gays in the military, came around tosupporting the Defense of Marriage Act, which barredfederal recognition for gay and lesbian unions, Dolewas wide-eyed. "Is there anything we're for that hewon't jump on?" Dole asked. The answer, essentially,was nothing... It's no coincidence that after hiring Penn, Clintonsigned the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act and thenran radio ads on Christian radio touting his supportfor DOMA. From the Associated Press, October 17, 1996: After angry complaints from gay-rights advocates, theClinton campaign on Wednesday replaced an ad runningon religious radio stations that boasted of thepresident's signature on a bill banning gaymarriages.... The Clinton spot also touted his signing of theDefense of Marriage Act, in spite of earlier WhiteHouse complaints that the Republicans' use of theissue amounted to "gay baiting." DOMA wasn't something Bill Clinton was forced to do,it's something he chose to do, wanted to do, was happyto do. And that explains why Bill Clinton has neverrepudiated his support for DOMA. I thought at thetime, and still thought up until a few days ago, thatBill Clinton was forced to sign DOMA. That the onlyreason he hadn't repudiated that support - hadn't said"look, it was GOP gay-baiting and I didn't have achoice, no Democrat had a choice" - was because itmight put Hillary in a bind, forcing her to alsorepudiate DOMA, something she of course would WANT todo but couldn't because it might prove politicallydangerous. But now it seems Clinton's Choice was muchclearer, and more calculated, than that. Clintonthought DOMA was a great idea for him then, and thinksit's a great idea for his wife now. It's not anecessary evil, it's manna from heaven. The final proof that legislative gay-bashing is stillsomething President Clinton recommends as smartDemocratic politics? Bill Clinton wanted to make surethat John Kerry's presidential defeat in 2004 would beblamed on Kerry's unwillingness to sufficiently bashthe gays. That's the most sensible explanation for whyhe made the following leak to Newsweek within days ofKerry's loss (Kerry-Edwards campaign staff tell methat they were not the ones who leaked this toNewsweek, and Clinton and his people were the onlyother party involved). From Newsweek: President Clinton, who signed the Defense of MarriageAct when he was in the White House, advised Kerry in aphone call early in the campaign to find a way tosupport the state bans. Kerry never consideredabandoning his principles to that extent, but he alsodidn?t take seriously enough the threat. So now the gays lost Kerry the election. Priceless. It gives me no joy to bash Bill Clinton. I cannotexpress sufficiently how much I admire the man'sintellect and his political acumen. We had lunch withhim last fall, and my first thought was "this is whata real president is like." He possesses so many of thequalities that our party and our politicians lacknowadays. But the man is politically amoral. Notimmoral - amoral. And he, along with his amoralcampaign aide Mark Penn, are the top advisers toHillary Clinton's presidential run. And that shouldgive every supporter of gay rights, civil rights, orany other issue, serious pause. There's already a growing concern in the gay communitythat Senator Clinton, while "good on paper" on gayissues - and once considered remarkably goodpersonally - will throw us under the bus if and whenshe becomes president. And let's be clear. We're nottalking about some arcane tax policy issue. We'retalking about our lives. Having the Democratic party'stop two legislative gay-bashers as her top twoadvisers, men who will betray any cause, anyprinciple, any supporter, for a bump in the polls(read more about Mark Penn's own loyalty problems hereand here), does nothing to assuage those growingconcerns.
Obama Statement on Pride Month | June 01, 2007 LinkStatement on Pride Month| June 01, 2007 http://www.barackobama.com/2007/06/01/obama_statement_on_pride_month.phpCHICAGO , IL-- U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) todayreleased the following statement to commemorate PrideMonth."Pride Month is a reminder that while we have come along way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we stillhave a lot of work to do.""Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited bythose seeking to divide us. But at its core, thisissue is about who we are as Americans. It's aboutwhether this nation is going to live up to itsfounding promise of equality by treating all itscitizens with dignity and respect.""It's time to turn the page on the bitterness andbigotry that fill so much of today's LGBT rightsdebate. The rights of all Americans should beprotected -- whether it's at work or anyplace else."Don't Ask, Don't Tell" needs to be repealed becausepatriotism and a sense of duty should be the key testsfor military service, not sexual orientation. Civilunions should give gay couples full rights. And thosewho commit hate crimes should be punished no matterwhether those crimes are committed on account of race,religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.""This Pride Month, let's make our founding promise ofequality a reality for every American."BARACK OBAMA’S SUPPORT FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY“While we have come a long way since the Stonewallriots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Toooften, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by thoseseeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue isabout who weare as Americans. It's about whether this nation isgoing to live up to its founding promise of equalityby treating all its citizens with dignity andrespect."[Obama Statement, 6/1/07]BARACK OBAMA ON LGBT ISSUESExpand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes againstLGBT Americans constituted the third-highest categoryof hate crime reported and made up more than 15percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsoredlegislation that would expand federal jurisdiction toreach violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race,color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation,gender identity, or physical disability. As a statesenator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hatecrimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.Fight Workplace Discrimination: Barack Obama believesthe Employment Non-Discrimination Act should beexpanded to include sexual orientation and genderidentity. While an increasing number of employers haveextended benefits to their employees’ domesticpartners, discrimination based on sexual orientationin the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy.Obama also sponsored legislation in the Illinois StateSenatethat would ban employment discrimination on the basisof sexual orientation.Promote LGBT Rights: Barack Obama supportedlegislation in the Illinois State Senate to preventdiscrimination based on sexual orientation in housingand public accommodations.Support Full Civil Unions: Barack Obama supports civilunions that give same-sex couples full rights,including the right to assist their loved ones intimes of emergency, the right to equal healthinsurance and other employment benefits currentlyextended to married couples, and the same propertyrights as anyone else.Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage: BarackObama voted against the Federal MarriageAmendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage asbetween a man and a woman and prevented judicialextension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or otherunmarried couples. “We are better than this. And wecertainly owe the American people more than this. Iknow that this amendment will fail, and when it does,I hope we can start discussing issues and offeringproposals that will actually improve the lives of mostAmericans.” (Barack Obama on the Senate floorregarding the Federal Marriage Amendment, June 5,2006)Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell: Barack Obama agrees withformer Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff JohnShalikashvili and other military experts that we needto repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy inconsultation with military commanders. The key testfor military service should be patriotism, a sense ofduty, and awillingness to serve. Discrimination should beprohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions ofdollars replacing troops kicked out of the militarybecause of their sexual orientation. Additionally,more than 300language experts have been fired under this policy,including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obamawill work with military leaders to repeal the currentpolicy and ensure it helps accomplish our nationaldefense goals.Expand Adoption Rights: Barack Obama believes thathomosexuals should have the same adoption rights asheterosexuals.Fight AIDS Worldwide: There are 40 million peopleacross the planet infected with HIV/AIDS. Every day,AIDS kills 8,000 and HIV infects 6,000 more people.The disease is set to become the third-leading causeof death worldwide in the coming years. Barack Obamahas been a global leader in the fight against AIDS. Hetraveled to Kenya and took a public HIV test toencourage testing and reduce the stigma of thedisease.Promote AIDS Prevention: Barack Obama believes that wecannot ignore that abstinence and fidelity may toooften be the ideal and not the reality. Obama went toa large evangelical conference in 2006 to promotegreaterinvestment in the global AIDS battle. At thisconservative Christian event, Obama pushed for abalanced approach to fighting the disease thatincludes condom distribution. In late 2006, BarackObama worked to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act,which is one of the largest sources of federal fundsfor primary health care and support services forpatients with HIV/AIDS. The bill was named after RyanWhite, an Indiana teenager whose courageous strugglewith HIV/AIDS helped educate the nation.Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the UnitedStates, the percentage of women diagnosed withAIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today,women account for more than one quarter of all newHIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced theMicrobicide Development Act, which will accelerate thedevelopment of products that empower women in thebattle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class ofproducts currently under development that women applytopically to prevent transmission of HIV and otherinfections.
The following is both instant messages and emails back and forth from me and Charles Merrill HERE IS A RETURNED EMAIL FROM THE 1ST INSTANT MESSAGE I EMAILED TO HIM: In a message dated 6/17/2007 2:39:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, CHARLESMERRILL3 writes: Hi Danielle,Thanks for the message. Yes please blog my website. I am sorry I blocked your IM. I didn't recognize the name. I get lots of spam.All the best to youCharlesLink HERE IS THE INSTANT MESSAGE I EMAILED HIM: In a message dated 6/17/2007 11:34:12 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Just Danielegrl writes: Just Danielegrl [2:21 P.M.]: hi right after i blogged your article about clinton throwing gays under the bus i was stopped from posting on aol boards and AOL doesn't know why they say i haven't been toss'edJust Danielegrl [2:22 P.M.]: and you can see i am only one of two who commented at diggJust Danielegrl [2:22 P.M.]: DanielleclarkeJust Danielegrl [2:23 P.M.]: Link Just Danielegrl [2:23 P.M.]: when i saw this i posted it at every yahoo gay group i am inJust Danielegrl [2:25 P.M.]: Link Just Danielegrl [2:26 P.M.]: do you mind if i blog your web siteJust Danielegrl [2:26 P.M.]: to my gay friendsJust Danielegrl [2:28 P.M.]: ironically i am watching cspan with Raymond Batvinis and his book on fbi and he was just discussing that many went on to merrill lynchJust Danielegrl [2:28 P.M.]: "the origins of FBI counter intelligence" is the bookJust Danielegrl [2:28 P.M.]: oh well i guess you are away from this computer Just Danielegrl [2:29 P.M.]: so i will wait for an email before i use your site in a blogJust Danielegrl [2:29 P.M.]: :) HERE HE RESPONDS TO ME BY INSTANT MESSAGE: CHARLESMERRILL3 [2:51 P.M.]: I apologize. I have read your posts on Digg and agree 100%. Keep up the good work.CharlesJust Danielegrl [2:51 P.M.]: thanksCHARLESMERRILL3 [2:52 P.M.]: What do you think of Gravel?Just Danielegrl [2:52 P.M.]: i have a new one where i evaluate the statements of the top threeJust Danielegrl [2:52 P.M.]: that they gave to HRCJust Danielegrl [2:52 P.M.]: brbCHARLESMERRILL3 [2:53 P.M.]: Where is your blog. web address?Just Danielegrl [2:54 P.M.]: i emailed a copyJust Danielegrl [2:54 P.M.]: i blogged it all over i could find Just Danielegrl [2:54 P.M.]: but having you to back it up will helpJust Danielegrl [2:54 P.M.]: to better confirm what i am sayingCHARLESMERRILL3 [2:55 P.M.]: Great thanks. Are you in NYC. If so, come to my show.Just Danielegrl [2:55 P.M.]: but go read my emailJust Danielegrl [2:55 P.M.]: phila paJust Danielegrl [2:55 P.M.]: my cell is xxx-xxx-xxxxCHARLESMERRILL3 [2:55 P.M.]: OK. Will read the e-mail. Talk with you later.Just Danielegrl [2:55 P.M.]: k WILL CLINTON THROW GAYS UNDER THE BUS LIKE HER HUSBAND DID? click here (americablog.com) Just Danielegrl [3:11 P.M.]: i have more on the clintons and edwards bilderberg connections and how barack is ethicalJust Danielegrl [3:12 P.M.]: and why i support Barack Obama and believe in his ethics Link Link CHARLESMERRILL3 [3:12 P.M.]: Great. Send it to me by e-mail. I am signing off now. I will save what you sent me.ThanksJust Danielegrl [3:12 P.M.]: And why i think Obama will bring about change versus the others and what we should be seeing in the bigger picture that encompases 40 yrs of my own lifeLink Link Just Danielegrl [3:12 P.M.]: okJust Danielegrl [3:12 P.M.]: byeCHARLESMERRILL3 [3:13 P.M.]: Bye. Send me the linksCharlesJust Danielegrl [3:13 P.M.]: okBEWARE OF GODwww.skipvancel.com HERE IS WHERE HE RESPONDS BY EMAIL TO MY SEND EMAIL WHERE I SENT HIM A COPY OF THE BLOG I WROTE WHICH THE FULL BLOG IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG: Well documented and thought out. I agree with you analysis on the issue. Barack Obama stays consistent on the issue, and he voted against DOMA. Clinton and Edwards? I don't trust either one.It's their childhood indoctrination on religion......Neither one knows what it means to be oppressed or denied basic human rights.. First sign of a crisis in their life, they turn back to Jesus, not really facing the problem..Obama has empathy for us out of his own past experience of being oppressed.Best regardsCharles
Comments are closed for this post.
