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.
Article courtesy of Rod McCullom's Blog, Rod 2.0, a YOCISCO.com Affiliate
