What Obama needs to do to regain my support

[FreeState]

Both my partner an I have been inspired by Obama. He brings a new and interesting perspective to the race. He’s intelligent, articulate and can make anyone feel inspired. While I don’t agree with him on everything, the same is true of every candidate. He was both of our second choices. My first choice is Kucinich and my partners is Clinton. I would have voted for Obama in a heartbeat if I felt that a vote for him would stop the nomination of a candidate that I really dislike and do not want to see win the nomination, that was my back up plan. My partner would vote for him as well if Clinton were to fall off her pedestal.As it stands now neither of us will vote for him as a first, second or even third choice. We both really would love to be able to feel good about voting for a man that once inspired us and still inspires many.

While much has been made of McClurkin’s MCing and homophobic rant at the Obama sponsored concert it seems to me Obama is missing a point and that really bothers me. I can in time forgive him for allowing spiritual terrorism to be used at his events. I can and want to move forward from this. But I cant move forward without knowing that Obama gets why what he is currently doing is not leadership worthy of anyone. He needs to understand what its like for GLBT Americans if he wants my vote. He can pass out press releases saying he does not agree with McClurkin and praising his own stands on gay rights but thats not going to fix the problem for a lot of GLBT voters, myself included.

This is what Obama is not getting: American’s want a leader that when he or she makes mistakes owns up to them. Obama has yet to apologize, and Im not sure he even sees that he needs to. That is what bothers me. He does not seem to see the harm he has caused - perhaps he does not understand what its like for people like me to grow up in a society where something as fundamental as spiritual beliefs are used as political and religious weapons.

Growing up Gay and Mormon Im well aware of the pain and havoc that is caused when someone you admire stands up at the pulpit and condemns you, not because of your actions but because of your personal unchangeable identity. There is a fundamental flaw when you allow someone to demonize a whole group of people in your name at a spiritual level. There were children at those concerts. There were more than likely children struggling with there sexuality at the concerts who have been damaged once again - only this time it was not only from a preacher on stage - but also by a person many people look up to who is running for president.

For me to support Obama he needs to one thing.

Repent like a Mormon*.

Mormon repentance consists of three steps:

1. Admit your fault to yourself and those you damaged.
   
2. Right the wrong you have caused. (I would love to see Obama start a program for at risk GLBT youth in his campaign - that would or something similar that would help these at risk youth would be an awesome example of a leader that *gets it*)
   
3. Promise to all involved that you will never again do the offending action.
   

Once Obama has done that I will have no problem supporting him again. I might even vote for him.


(*Im not trying to bring religion into this, this is just what I personally feel anyone should do to get forgiveness from anyone.

Also Im aware of issues with other candidates - I post this because Im upset with how Obama has handled this. If you want to start your own thread on any other candidate’s views or problems with GLBT rights please do so - this thread is about Obama.)

[AndyA]

1. I pretty much feel the same way you do (except for the Mormon thing)

but I believe Barack knows what he's doing. As a black man, he should understand prejudice and bigotry and discrimination, and be more sensitive to it.

The fact that this has all apparently escaped him, or he doesn't care enough to do anything about it knowing he is in the wrong, makes him unfit for President, in my opinion. We need someone who will treat ALL EQUALLY. If a black man can't understand that, well, he shouldn't be President.

Haven't we had enough of a President who exhibits favoritism above equality?

[FreeState]

2. Thanks

I didn't have any other way of explaining my view of "repentance" when the only language I know for it is the faith I was raised in. so hopefully that wont distract from what I was trying to convey.


I agree its so disappointing to see divisions from someone I had hopes would unite us after so many years of struggle.

[Bluebear]

3. 'I can in time forgive him for allowing spiritual terrorism to be used at his events.'

I can't get past that.

[FreeState]

4. To clarify that statement - at least for me

I can in time forgive him if he finally gets it and makes his actions back up his statements. If he were to start condemning spiritual terrorism used against anyone and never again allowed it to happen in his name I could forgive - but thats a long ways away.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. To me it wasn't "Obama is evil" but it snapped the whole campaign into focus

Not just the gay thing, but the degree to which he had chosen to run AGAINST the Democratic party (and the left in particular) on a wide variety of fronts.

I accepted the early buzz that he was a progressive savior, and cut him all kinds of slack based on that impression. It took something wholly unambiguous like McClrkin-fest to get it through my had that he is running to the right of Hillary.

[FreeState]

7. I don't think he's evil

how ever his actions as of late reek of pandering.

I had not thought of the issues like you have - thanks for giving me something more to think about. I guess Im just resigned to the fact that the Dem nom will be a moderate that stands for very little change in the long run. I have a good friend that is a huge supporter of one of the leading candidates (not Obama BTW) that basically admitted to me he saw no difference between Giuliani and that particular dem candidate. Scary times indeed...

[gateley]

5. It's been my belief for YEARS that if the politicians would just come out and

say - I'm sorry I didn't realize.... and I'm working to make it right" - that's all we ask.

I even forgave Bush senior after all his "no new taxes - read my lips" when, after getting into office, he came to the public and said "I'm sorry - I didn't realize the situation as it truly is -- I have to raise taxes and here's why..."

I totally understand your position. I hope Obama does apologize.

[MasonJar]

8. This has nothing to do with party or candidate; we need to escape

from many elements of unconscionable behavior instituted by the Bushistas and others of like philosophies. The first step must be is to recognize that all people are indeed equal under the law. No one should be made to feel out of place or illegitimate in one's own personal morality. unless others are damaged. We must steer away from these narrow constructs to a truly open-minded world. Go up and read the posted story of the 83 year old homeless vet called a "bum." If the human race cannot begin to grow in stature as a worthy entity, then we do not deserve to survive, nor should we. We have had exceptional models in Jesus and Ghandhi and other great moral and philosophical leaders. We have not yet bothered to institute the world these men and women have lived and died for. If anything, man is deteriorating in outlook and love of the earth and its creatures and his fellow man. I am so sorry that you were distressed by the Obama misadventure, that should never have happened. It was just too hurtful.

[FreeState]

9. I agree but the problem lies in how

how do we bring the level of expectations and discourse in politics up to that level where every law abiding citizen is respected and cherished? Do we start by insisting our popular media (both in news and entertainment) live up to the ideals of the American dream (Its 2007 and I still see shows where the bad guy is always a black person for example). Or do we as a collective body of democrats stop voting for those that would rather divide than help? (If we hold that up as an ideal is it currently unrealistic? And if so isnt that sad...)

Looking at the state of discussion on this board even bothers me. It seems its fair game to attack candidates for flip flopping etc but no one ever really attacks the issues and when people try to have a discussion based solely on issues its inevitable that the discussion gets over run with personal attacks against the candidates. I have even fallen to this level on occasion, its very easy to say "Obama's a bigot" instead of saying I have a problem with Obama because of this or that.

[Terri S]

12. I hope this will help

link

It honestly breaks my heart coming to this site anymore when I hear the things being said about Obama. Let me just say that I first heard of Obama as most did with the speech in 2004. After that blew me away, I started really researching the guy. I'm telling you guys, the whole 'Obama the homophobe' is way off the mark. I'd read somewhere that he first became really aware of the discrimination of gays in high school. I don't remember the article I read, but in it he spoke of when he first became aware of LGBT issues..in school where one of his friends was gay. He saw first hand, in a way that many cannot unless it becomes a part of their personal experience, how discrimination had effected his friend's life, and how similar it was to his own experiences. He had determined then that he would do what he could personally to combat such discrimination in all it's guises, and has done so.

As I said, I've researched Obama for years. Unfortunately menopause-mind-fog has sent most of my memory into that cosmic black hole where single socks go, but here's some information: link

Regarding McClurkin:
link

I don't know if it will change your mind, and I'm not really trying to change it. I truly do understand why people were so angry, but I hope you'll consider judging the man on the whole of who his is and all of his actions.

[zulchzulu]

10. Here's what I know about Obama's LGBT record and what he said about McClurkin

Here is Barack Obama's statement on Rev. McClurkin:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts of our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."
~ Barack Obama
10/22/07

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

Here's a general overview of his record on LGBT issues:

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes:
In 2004, crimes against homosexuals constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

Fight Workplace Discrimination:
Barack Obama believes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored and passed legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Promote Gay and Lesbian Rights:
Barack Obama supported legislation in the Illinois State Senate to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing and public accommodations.

Support Full Civil Unions:
Barack Obama supports civil unions that give gay couples full rights, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits currently extended to traditional married couples, and the same property rights as anyone
else.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage:
Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples. “We are better than this. And we certainly owe the American people more than this. I know that this amendment will fail, and when it does, I hope we can start discussing issues and offering proposals that will actually improve the lives of most Americans.” (Barack Obama on the Senate floor regarding the Federal Marriage Amendment, June 5, 2006)

Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell:
Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in consultation with military commanders. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense
goals.

Expand Adoption Rights:
Barack Obama believes that homosexuals should have the same adoption rights as heterosexuals.

Fight AIDS Worldwide:
There are 40 million people across the planet infected with HIV/AIDS. Every day, AIDS kills 8,000 and HIV infects 6,000 more people. The disease is set to become the third-leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. Barack Obama has been a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He
traveled to Kenya and took a public HIV test to encourage testing and reduce the stigma of the disease.

Promote AIDS Prevention:
Barack Obama believes that we cannot ignore that abstinence and fidelity may too often be the ideal and not the reality. Obama went to a large evangelical conference in 2006 to promote greater investment in the global AIDS battle. At this conservative Christian event, Obama pushed for a balanced approach to fighting the disease that includes condom distribution. In late 2006, Barack Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act, which is one of the largest sources of federal funds for primary health care and support services for patients with HIV/AIDS. The bill was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS helped educate the nation.

Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS:
In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

http://www.outfordemocracy.org/obama.htm
http://www.sovo.com/2007/5-25/Obama.pdf

As a heterosexual who has done 6 AIDS rides in tribute to my uncle who lost a battle to AIDS and one who has actively participated in grassroots efforts relating to LGBT issues over the years, I wish the McClurkin thing never happened.

I do understand Barack's point that you have to engage with people who are homophobic to make them see their faults on the issue. I do look at his record on civil rights for all people which is proven and verifiable and know that he is not a homophobe and certainly represents the best chances of actually working on LGBT issues and perhaps starting with getting civil unions as a national standard.

I wish you the best of luck. This is what I offer to you as an answer with the best of intentions.

[dsc]

11. well said

You have found the language many of us wished to say.