Joyce L. Arnold, Liberally Independent, Queer Talk, equality activist, writer.
Since Obama’s announcement that “at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” I’ve been as fascinated by the ways the decision, and the timing, is being discussed, analyzed, praised, and condemned as by the story itself. It’s always interesting to see which “gay” stories grab mainstream – media and in general – attention.
As for the decision itself, I still think what I wrote on Wednesday : It finally became more politically harmful than helpful for Obama to continue the “evolving” process. I’m glad he finally got there, though what it “means” has a lot of interpretations, including the “it was part of a brilliant plan” conjecture. As I also said earlier, I still think it’s the grassroots people, local, state and national organizations, LGBT media, with allies, of course, who did the work that made it possible.
Obama’s emphasis on this being his “personal” view made me think of, among other things, that feminist assertion, “the personal is political.” Yes, it is. But neither the “personal” nor the “political” guarantee what an Elected’s policies will be. It’s policies and laws that spell out the meaning and realities of equality. Along with court decisions. Campaigns are about getting elected. They’re about the political and the personal, but what they tell us about eventual policies is sketchy at best.
Rachel Maddow did a segment in which she emphasizes that policy is more important than personal views. She compares what Obama has actually done toward LGBT equality – which is significant, even if I think he, as Electeds often do, gets credit for work done by others – and compares the Obama policy actions to the personal “I actually like gays” pronouncements by other presidents.
Whatever you think of all of this, the fight goes on. Advocacy, fierce and otherwise, doesn’t have an off season. Strategies and tactics change, depending on the strength and decisions – and policies – of your team, but the advocacy continues. Obama moved because Obama was pushed to move. The Right quickly jumped on this as a “flip-flop” weakness, a subject you’d think they’d want to avoid.
Anyway, I think it’s fair to point out that it took a lot of time and energy and effort by LGBT’s and allies, and it took the majority of Obama’s first term, to get to this point. If this is the big deal so many say it is – pro and con – then it’s also a big deal that he waited to do it.
At Buzzfeed Zeke Miller wrote:
After three years of political compromise on issues from health care reform to spending cuts, Obama delivered a surprise gift to what many of his core supporters view as the civil rights issue of the day … .
No, damn it, it wasn’t a “gift.” It’s a very hard earned acknowledgement of a right. The statement of his “personal” belief is great, it can have real consequences, and I mean beyond the boost in political campaign fundraising (which began immediately). But equality isn’t a “gift” to be bestowed by an Elected personally and/or politically inclined to do so. It’s a right, one that requires policies and the enactment of laws to make practical, defendable differences.
I’d guess that Obama’s campaign move – and that’s what it was, of course – is based in some real conviction that it’s the “right thing to do,” as Electeds are so fond of telling us. And I know, from reading around the web and talking with lots of people the last few days, that many are excited by this. But I wonder if the fact that it’s the work of many who made this Obama Moment possible isn’t getting lost. More, is this really a “very risky” political step, as I’ve read in several places, especially considering the ever further Right movement of the Republican presidential hunt?
Is saying you support marriage equality early in your political career but then saying you don’t when you run for the presidency really an “example of courage” or a “model” for how to be an LGBT equality ally, as is being fairly widely proclaimed? Or, does this incremental, cautious approach simply represent the process followed by many on their way to being an out LGBT supporter? Maybe that’s one reason for the “he’s a hero” attitude for admirers, and the “he’s a threat” attitude from some on the Right, including Romney.
Whatever your conclusions about that, remember: Obama said something in addition to expressing his personal belief. As Darren Hutchinson writes:
… (Obama) also qualified this position in a way that is very important from a legal standpoint. Obama believes that states should have the power to decide this issue on their own.
Which means it was okay when North Carolina joined so many other states in putting a decision regarding who deserves, and doesn’t deserve, equality up for a popular vote.
Basically, I take such moments as Obama’s “coming out” for marriage equality with what to me is simply a realistic qualifier: after many years of advocacy work, that’s one step forward we’ve earned. But don’t be surprised when there’s a step or two backward (not just by Obama), and be even less surprised when there are extended periods of running in place, or shifting of feet. And that’s a description of the Electeds working for equality. There’s the other whole group who are actively opposing it.
When Electeds act for equality on the basis of the hard work of advocates, give the Electeds the credit deserved. I don’t discount the significance of Obama’s statement. It’s important, to the point of being considered newsworthy in the MSM. But I don’t assign it heroic status. That goes to the people doing the daily grind of grassroots advocacy.
The heroes are the advocates.
The uncomfortable hero behind this remains Joe Biden.
” Obama moved because Obama was forced to move. ” I don’t buy it. He wanted the money and he made a calculated political decision to get the money. I don’t believe Biden did this on his own either. Obama is the ultimate control freak and the idea that Biden, regardless of his reputation, would do this on his own is incomprehensible. I think the whole thing was a sophisticated set up ala George W. Bush and Karl Rove. ” It was the right thing to do. ” When has he ever cared about the right thing to do. Whatever the reason he may be in for a surprise. When Gavin Newsom gave LGBT’s the right to marry in San Francisco he did not do John Kerry any favors. It will probably galvanize the extreme right and bring people together who were not together before. Finally, talking about the ” right thing to do. ” again, where was that sentiment when he colluded with the democrats to hold the convention in a state that is anti union, anti gay and anti immigrant. He is a cold, calculating technocrat who uses anyone and anything to achieve an ultimate goal. It is painful to watch so many so called progressives slobbering over his phony humanity.
I think events have shown that without LGBTs, particularly some rich ones, putting on the pressure, this “gift” would not have happened at all. Whether it leads to anything concrete, like changing policy about defense contractors discriminating against LGBTs (the issue that may have started all this), remains to be seen.
In my opinion…and I say this with much love and respect, and not to be extremely negative…but Obama has done nothing short of what he “use” to do sooo well…
create an atmosphere of empty praise, excitement, support and expectation. Now I say this in the hopes that it is not true…you see for the average person like myself, maintaining your mental “guard” is mentally draining where politics are concerned. Being aware of your environment and your government on a daily basis is an on going process and energy drain, but for those of us who wish to free of what Taylor Marsh once refered to as the “zombie herd”…I will gladly sacrafice my time and energies as an American citizen.
This “move” was executed in a professional, political and timely manner, and I would say that it produced the “desired” results, and…he saved the best for last, so to speak. Mind you my comments are n’t to devalue the hard work the “LGBT” community has sacraficed, and suffered for to be at this point, on the contrary…it is to praise their efforts and willingness to continue the struggle for freedom…but I refuse to give someone else’s progress to a politically minded, manipulative, White House “corporatician” like Barrack Obama, or any other sorry a*# politician!
I believe that if we want “heroes” we can just look within ourselves, in and around our own neighborhoods, our support groups, grassroot organizations, even on the internet with people like Joyce Arnold and Taylor Marsh
We don’t need another political “hero!!!!!!!!
“I believe that if we want “heroes” we can just look within ourselves, in and around our own neighborhoods, our support groups, grassroot organizations, even on the internet with people like Joyce Arnold and Taylor Marsh
”
Truer words have never been posted!
Right now over 30 states are breaking the law and adding laws to their state constitutions that discrimate against a minority of people which happen to be US citizens which goes against the federal constitution. I am trilled that President Obama made his historic announcement,but the Democrats should not be having there convention in a right-to work state and a state that put discrimination in there constitution.
I will have a difficult time in my mind if the convention is in NC.
Interesting math…can you solve for the unstated conclusion?
Gallup:
Six in 10 Americans say President Obama’s support for same-sex marriage will make no difference to their vote. Twenty-six percent say it will make them less likely to vote for him, including 23% of independents and 10% of Democrats.
If the math is as stated then the repugnantklan/teabagger vote is unchanged and he loses ALL votes from Dems. Possible but I sure hope not true.
Make that all THE votes