Community | June 22, 2009 | 9 comments

Obama Invites Gay Rights Advocates to White House

source: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/22/obama-invites-gay-rights-advocates-to-white-ho...

Image
WakeUpPeople
As advocates for gays and lesbians intensify their criticism of the White House, President Obama has invited some of their leaders to an East Room reception next Monday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the 1969 Greenwich Village demonstrations that gave birth to the modern gay rights movement.

The White House has not publicized the reception, and officials did not respond to e-mail requests for comment. But gay leaders from here and around the country said they had received either telephone calls from the White House or written invitations to the event, and were told Mr. Obama is expected to speak.

Some said it would take more than a reception to change their view that Mr. Obama has not been aggressive enough in pursuing gay rights. As a candidate, Mr. Obama campaigned to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law barring gay marriage, and ‘’don’t ask don’t tell,’’ the military policy that bars gays and lesbians from serving openly. But advocates have accused him of dragging his feet.

“What’s going to change the way the community is feeling is seeing the introduction of a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’’ said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, a Boston-based advocacy group, referring to two policies Mr. Obama pledged to overturn. She said gay rights advocates want to see “a president who is fulfilling the promises he made on the campaign trail.’’
  1. groups:
    Community,   News and Politics,   Politics,   Current Tonight,   4 more
  2. tags:
    News,  News and Politics,  Politics,  US News,  5 more
  3.     
    |

9 comments // Obama Invites Gay Rights Advocates to White House

  • MichelleHallum
    • 0
      MichelleHallum  

    • I completely agree that gay rights is a very big issue; one that should finally be put to rest. Gay people should have all of the rights reserved for any American. However, it is obvious that Pres. Obama is aware of this and completely on there side given the invitation to the White House for a commemoration reception and should be given a chance to deal with the many other cards that he has been dealt with this presidency.

    • 2 years ago
  • uroborus8
    • 0
      uroborus8  

    • The 40th Anniversary receptions is causing yet another firestorm in the LGBT blogger community. They see it as yet another patronizing act.

      It also seems odd to call this a celebration. To review history, Stonewall was a week long riot born from years of police brutality in New York against the gay and lesbian community. Stonewall was not a party.

      While the last 40 years have brought a lot of great advances, we should also remember how far we still have to go. I personally don't feel like celebrating yet.

    • 2 years ago
  • Denica_Cassandra
  • uroborus8
  • Herbal_Minded
    • 0
      Herbal_Minded  

    • I'm fuckin tired of these religious and empowered fucks who want to dictate what love is...

      If only god can judge you then why do you Judge everyone else???

      BTW- I'm far from gay the thought of two men together is disturbing but what they do in the privacy of their own home is their fuckin business...

      forgive the cursing but fucks are the best way i can describe these f-ing fools...

      Let people Live!!!

    • 2 years ago
  • Herbal_Minded
  • paxx
  • jh64487
  • Herbal_Minded
more from Community:
from the community

top videos