Lane Hudson: The Gay Guide to Obama’s Remarks Today

Today marks the first time he has spoken about the gay community since his election. That’s a step forward, but only a very small step in and of itself.

Here are a few things that could make the President’s remarks today a home run:

1. Extending the full range of benefits (whatever they may include) to same sex partners of Federal employees in a lasting Executive Order. According to Chuck Todd of NBC News, a Presidential Memorandum will not last past his Presidency.

2. Calling on the Congress to immediately pass legislation that would extend the balance of benefits not able to be extended via Executive Order.

3. Announcing that he will instruct the Department of Justice not to defend section 3 of DOMA, which deals with Federal benefits, that is being challenged in a federal lawsuit by the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) in Massachusetts.

4. Signing an Executive order that bans employment discrimination against transgender persons in the Federal workforce.

5. Announcing a concrete path forward on repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

6. Calling on Congress to pass the far too long delayed Employment Non-Discrimination Act and Federal Hate Crimes Legislation.

7. Urging Congress to include the Uniting American Families Act in immigration reform legislation to be considered this year.

8. Committing the National Institute of Health to undertake a new effort for the treatment of HIV/AIDS and the Department of Health and Human Services to commit to new efforts on prevention of HIV/AIDS.

It’s not asking too much. It’s taken this long for the White House to address our community. There is much to be done to end discrimination and this would be a great start. The President could announce everything on this list today. Don’t ask, don’t get.

via Lane Hudson: The Gay Guide to Obama’s Remarks Today.

~ by alacrity1123 on June 17, 2009.