Before Barack Obama became elected President of the United States, President Bill Clinton was often referred to as America’s first Black President.
The 1998 Nobel laureate Toni Morrison is credited with naming Bill Clinton “the first Black President” in part because of his life story and some parallels to stereotyping and double standards many African Americans face. Based on those criteria I believe that Barack Obama is America’s first Gay President.
Conservatives have hated Obama from his first day in office with fanaticism that defies explanation. He’s been accused of not being an American citizen, being Muslim (as if that is a pejorative), and according to Mayor Giuliani and many other prominent Republicans – he hates America. This sort of illogical, blind hatred is something the gay community can relate to. Our very presence by many conservatives is perceived as an abomination and it would be best if we could be either subjected to reparative “conversion” therapy or removed from society.
Barack Obama is the first sitting US President to voice his support for many LGBT issues. While some Presidents have voiced support for LGBT causes after they left office – Obama has done this while in office and that makes all the difference. Was his decision to voice support for same sex marriage politically motivated? Probably, but what matters is his actions not his motivations because his support and his words changed minds and hearts.
In addition to what can only be characterized as an unwavering support for marriage equality since 2012, President Obama has worked to help our community more than any other sitting President and possibly more than any Presidents in the near future. Here are some of his accomplishments:
– Ending the hateful Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Act (DADT)
– Ending the legal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
– Extending hate crime legislation to include sexual orientation / gender identity
– Federal government recognition of marriage rights for same sex couples even if they live in states that don’t recognize same sex marriage
– Continued support and funding of Ryan White HIV/AIDS programming
– Expanding coverage of health insurance so insurers cannot deny coverage to someone because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
– Taking a stand both with legislation and by making personal “It Gets Better” videos to help prevent bullying and LGBT suicides
While I may disagree with Obama on some things, I will always consider him America’s first gay President. Obama’s unflinching support for the LGBT community has set a standard which all future Presidential nominees (at least in the Democratic Party) will now be found wanting if they don’t measure up.
Indiana’s State House earlier today approved the nation’s most anti-LGBT legislation. According to the IndyStar, similar legislation was passed by the State Senate and Indiana’s Governor has said he intends to sign this into law – all under the guise of protecting religious freedom. The legislation is modeled on a 22-year old federal law known as the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act. You may recall this act because it was what the US Supreme Court cited in allowing Hobby Lobby to opt out of the Affordable Care Act requirement that they cover contraceptives.
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