National LGBT Leaders Endorse John Edwards for President & Why Obama Lost My 08’ Nod…For Now

The John Edwards for President campaign announced that prominent LGBT leaders from across the country endorsed Senator John Edwards for President.

"I am honored to have the support of so many well-respected LGBT leaders," said Edwards. "They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans."

So just who endorsed Edwards for President?

And in other news…

After giving it much thought and consideration, I have decided that while I like Illinois Senator Barack Obama for President, his position on gay and lesbian issues leaves a lot to be desired. 

It’s hard for me to say that I have to pull back my support of Obama for President…for now.

When I originally posted  my support for Obama on my site, I posted it with the disclaimer that my “08’ Nod” was “subject to change depending on future actions or inactions of candidates that I cannot predict.”

As an African-American woman who is also a lesbian, I have a lot to weigh in making my final decision for who I am going to support.  I obviously want someone who is going to do more than pay lip service to African-Americans but I also want the same concerning gays.

I like Obama, I really do.  I went to hear him speak when he came to L.A. for his book signing.  In fact, I have his autographed book on my bookshelf in my living room and every now and then, I glance at it and think, he may be the next President.

But with all of Obama’s audacity, he hasn’t been able to stand up and say yes, I agree that separate isn’t equal and gays and lesbians deserve to be treated equally under the law with the same rights and privileges as America’s heterosexual citizens.  Now that would truly be audacity!

But that hasn’t happened and I fear that what is happening is that in this mad dash rush to get the support of the Black community, via the Black church, Obama is trying to ignore the fact that I don’t have all of my rights and that I am not treated equal.  And if he can stand up and speak out against the war he should be able to stand up and face the Black church and say that while he may  not agree with the idea of lesbians and gays getting married, that they do contribute to society like everyone else, including paying taxes and therefore deserve to be treated equally.

By the same token, showing up at Black churches and “talking Black” to the Blacks and showing up at gay organizations talking in circles about what you’re going to do if elected, which if you read between the lines isn’t really anything, doesn’t impress me either.  Nor does trying to use your husband’s strange popularity with Blacks to boost your standings in the African-American community.

There’s a lot riding on this next election.  It’s not just about the war, Social Security, universal healthcare, and the economy.  It’s also about putting an end to lawful discrimination and having the guts to take a real position, the right position, on unpopular issues.  It’s about reparations and America apologizing for slavery as much as it’s about my rights as a lesbian to marry the woman of my choice…legally.

So in other words, if you want my vote, you’re gonna have to work for it. Being Black isn’t going to be enough, nor is being a woman.  And paying lip service on Sunday’s isn’t going to get it either.

I want the next President of the United States to be able to stand up on the right side of all of the issues, not the just the popular ones.

Obama, I’m waiting.  You know what you need to do.

Comments

[Mr T]

I'm with you on holding back my Obama vote. It just seems like everyone expects me to vote for him or Clinton because I'm female and black. Plus, most people who haven't actually followed their careers seem to think Obama and Clinton are liberal. I know in the primaries I'm voting for Kucinich because he has stated again and again that he is for gay marriage (not just civil unions), and he has protected gay rights at every opportunity. He also does all he can to protect the rights of racial minorities. He's been trying to get universal healthcare since before Hilary even got to the Senate. And, he wants free post-secondary education for all Americans. He has a record that 11 years so not only does he talk the talk but we have proof that he'll walk to walk.

[Martha Jean]

I guess I must have been one of the few who wasn't feeling Obama from the get go. I still have no clue as to what he even stands for other than that mystery word "change." Neither he nor Clinton do a thing for me, I like Edwards, and I also like and really respect Richardson. But, then again, where they stand on gay issues is secondary with me, as the gays rights issue to me is about white gays and their issues aren't mine on any level, and my issues are those of first a black woman, and a lesbian second. I need someone who is going to work towards health care for all, better wages,safer neighborhoods, things that the white gay majority don't have to deal with as a whole.

So, I so, run John Edwards, run, you will work for the little people in this society, and now, its good to see he will also work on glbt issues.

[jaye]

*sigh*. i feel your sentiments word for word. there is so much that i like about Obama but as a lesbian, i too am having a hard time with the song and dance.