Did Obama Throw Bishop Robinson Under the Bus?
Candace Challew-Hodge sure seems to think Obama did so as she wrote today, in response to the fact Bishop Gene Robinson’s remarks at yesterday’s inaugural event weren’t broadcast on HBO due to supposed ‘technical difficulties’…
…”I invite everyone to judge Obama by his actions and not his words—and yes, even by the actions of his people. Obama has sworn that he is a “fierce advocate of gay and lesbian rights.” So far, I have seen no action to confirm that lip service. I have seen him choose a virulently anti-gay pastor to open the most historic inauguration this country has ever seen. I have seen him toss a bone to our community in the form of an incredible man like Bishop Gene Robinson, then promptly toss him under the bus—denying him the same kind of platform he has generously given someone who compares our lives to pedophilia and incest. I have even seen him back away from previous support for same-sex marriage. So far, his actions have disproved his words. I suppose I should not be surprised.
As a lesbian, I am a pariah to my church, a thorn in the side to my government and a complete afterthought to my president. It’s hard to keep your head held high when you know all those around you who have any sort of power wish you would simply shut up or disappear altogether.”
Now, some of you may get angry with me for choosing this focus for my post on inauguration day. Some of you will say, “Why would I mar such a beautiful day – the inauguration of a democratic president with such promise?” Or, “Give the man a chance”.
Here’s why I’ve chosen to ‘stir the pot’, so-to-speak.
Even in celebration of progress, we mustn’t forget what still needs to be done; what injustices remain in effect, injustices that impact GLBT Americans in their everyday lives, injustices that cause so many of us to live double lives or lie to our co-workers. Or, worse yet, to be fired, evicted, verbally harassed or killed for living openly and honestly.
As we celebrate the swearing in of an apparently well spoken, bright, African American president, Challew-Hodge’s words reminds me how important it will be to hold Barack Obama’s feet to the fire these next four years to ensure…
- Obama keeps, at a minimum, all of his promises to GLBT Americans
- Obama expands his understanding of marriage equality and, perhaps even takes action to do something about that understanding
Yes, I believe Obama will do more than any previous president has done for GLBT rights. I am not as pessimistic as Challew-Hodge is in her article. But I don’t blame her for her response. The hurt is palpable and is felt by those of us who understand the full implications of the symbolism so far in Obama’s presidency. Somehow, Obama is behind some decisions that go against his words. This is what we’ve come to distrust so much about our leaders here in America.
I was heartened, the other day, to hear CNN commentator David Gergen note that perhaps GLBT Americans are the last to wait to be ‘welcomed into the fold’ of this great country. Wow – at least Gergen ‘gets it’ and, while he’s in no real position to make a legal difference, his words are important as they are broadcast out to millions.
And analogous to what Reverend Jesse Jackson said last night on Larry King Live, things began to change with racism only when it ‘became illegal’ to discriminate in housing, employment, etc. due to race. The same needs to come to pass when it comes to sexual and gender orientation in the form of passage of federal laws such as The Hate Crimes Act and ENDA/Employment Non Discrimination Act.
I implore President Obama to ensure these two Acts pass immediately! These two Acts address two huge ‘quality of life’ concerns that affect so many. These two Acts are ‘no-brainers’ and should be more ‘mainstream’ accepted ideas than some of the other GLBT issues that need to be addressed in Obama’s first four years.
In many states in the United States, for example, it is still legal to not hire, not promote or fire someone, evict someone or not rent them housing just because they are gay or a same sex couple (or the employer or landlord thinks they are gay). And, it’s still too easy for people to commit hate crimes without thought of the consequences and without society having to face the truth that these crimes do occur.
Today, I saw it noted that here, in Florida, in Tampa to be exact, anti-gay forces are already working against the ‘one-ness’ that Obama just spoke of today, by already mounting a fight to deny domestic partners in Tampa their legal rights. These battles are occurring all over America as an unfortunately too large, politically savvy, monied group of Americans (who often claim to have god on their side) continues to exercise their waning power against the values that unite us all as a country: respect for diversity and equality for all.
Now, as I return my attention to my real life (yes, watching the coverage does get addictive!), to overseeing my own career legacy – inspiring lesbians to create and nurture the love lives they are legally entitled to – I realize that today is also just another day, with more battles to be fought in this ‘war against homophobia and heterosexism’, this war that is working to help lesbian women build the self confidence and success straight women assume is theirs when it comes to marrying the person of their dreams, complete with the enthused support of friends, families and their country. This war that fights the internalized shame of so many GLBT Americans who don’t reach their potential.
I hope you’ll join me in ‘fighting the good fight’. There has never been a more important war to win! Your health, wealth and happiness depends on you creating more of what you want in your life and in your love relationship.
So go and celebrate today. But remember the big picture. And don’t shoot me – I’m just the messenger. Or, maybe better yet – the sober soothsayer (Ha! I don’t think I’ve heard that word since high school). I have no doubt leaders of GLBT organizations are continuing to lay the groundwork even today while celebrating this new administration, which will help us move forward. Each one of us needs to do something every day to support them, by doing things such as supporting HRC’s Blueprint for Change, Freedom to Marry’s Freedom to Marry Week and the work of whatever organizations you identify with when it comes to GLBT civil rights.
And be sure to read the words Bishop Robinson did say.
I leave you with one of Challew-Hodge’s thoughts…
“Help Obama remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.”
Tags: Bishop Gene Robinson, civil rights, gay and lesbian rights, ghandi, jr., martin luther king, presidential inauguration, Rick Warren
February 6th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I agree with your post and I hope other gays and lesbians are very much aware, as I am, of the exclusion to the final “equality” in america that everybody seems to be touting since we have a half black president. It’s really amazing to see everyone rallying, and Obama seems to be just what we need. I have great respect for him and our transformation as a country. However, it is glaringly apparent who is excluded from this “new day.” I’ve seen women celebrated, people from other ethnic backgrounds besides black or white, which makes it seem really all-inclusive. But the choice of Rick Warren and even the blunt words of many of the politicians during the election process have said basically “we do not support equality for gays and lesbians. They still do not count. They are not on the civil rights radar.” Too bad. I won’t forget and I see no better time than now to speak up with force and make these changes happen.
February 11th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Thanks for sharing Nichole – now that the inauguration is over we need to do all we can to put to the fire the feet of all our elected officials – at all levels – to pass the laws that are required to make GLBT’s full citizens. I vote we start at the most basic and, survival and safety oriented: we need the ENDA legislation passed federally as well as a federal hate crimes law. In the meantime, work on your home front to be sure anti-discrimination laws for jobs and housing and hate crimes laws are in effect in your town/state and in your workplace.
Never forget the power of the pocketbook too. For example, I love organizations such as Out and Equal and the NGLCC/National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. O&E advocates for GLBT’s on the job and has been instrumental in being sure most fortune 100 companies now protect GLBT’s and are working to decrease hostility in the workplace towards GLBT’s. And the NGLCC was founded to fight for our economic rights in congress and to educate us how our pocketbooks can change laws!
For example, do you know if the places you shop and patronize specifically prohibit discrimination in hiring, promoting and firing in the areas of sexual and gender orientation? And do you know if a company you support is giving money to fight marriage equality? You need to be informed – of course, a great place to go for such information is HRC.