Mr President: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Box Turtle published the linked blog entry about the Obama Pride month proclamation. It starts, by wondering if any other president has done, this, but in the comments, someone points out that Clinton did as well. However, I think this is still stricking, given Obama’s dismal record on GLBTQ issues since he has been elected. At least he is saying something, and repeating his commitment to doing some very important things. The only problem is, that words are cheap, and just saying something doesn’t accomplish anything at all really. His failure to act says far more than a few words here in something he most likely didn’t write himself, but merely signed. Do I sound bitter? Sorry. but I expected more from this guy than we are getting, and just being honest here. I had been giving him the benefit of the doubt until the Whitehouse web site changed which appeared to remove almost everything about LGBT issues. and his stance so far, with Don’t Ask, don’t Tell (DADT) has been a total FAIL. While I totally agree that any real change to DADT must come from Congress, there is nothing from having him put a moritorium on DADT so that we stop losing qualified and couragious Americans.

Recently, I have wondered if this appearance of back stepping has been to try and calm the waters before the Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Look at how crazy it has been with Sotomayor being called dumb and a racist. did he think it would help get any nomination through the Senate to appear as neutral on the hot button issues like Gay Rights? Time will tell.

And he hasn’t been in office that long, so it is still way too early to write this guy off as just another politician who said what we wanted to hear but had no plans on really bringing equality to everyone. But, actions speak louder than words. How much longer will we have to wait to see Obama follow through on his campaign promises to the GLBTQ community?

The only place I’m not going to fault him is in his silence on the Same-Sex Marriage advancements. While I wish he were pro-marriage instead of pro- civil union, I also think that this is an issue that needs to come from the states and not from the Whitehouse. I think more gay rights activists might be OK with his silence on this issue if he was actually doing other things that he has promised.

But here, in the proclamation, at least he says:

Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security.

Box Turtle Bulletin » Obama Issues LGBT Pride Proclamation.