Obama Sees Presidency As ‘Bully Pulpit’ for Full ‘LGBT Equality’

By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
February 29, 2008

(CNSNews.com) - In an open letter posted on his presidential campaign Web site Thursday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) expounds on the “promise of equality for all — a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters.”

He said he’d use the “bully pulpit” of the presidency to press for a number of laws and policy changes backed by the homosexual community.

The Feb. 28 letter, posted in the “LGBT” section under the “People” heading, says it’s “wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation.” Obama asks for support “so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.”

As president, Obama said he would press for passage of a hate crimes law and a “fully inclusive” Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws,” Obama said. Although he favors civil unions over same-sex marriage, “I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples…”

Obama said he supports repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — unlike Sen. Hillary Clinton, he pointed out. “While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does.”

Obama said he also wants to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the policy that’s supposed to exclude homosexuals from military service.

To address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Obama said “abstinence education should be part of any strategy,” but he also backs “age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception.” He wants local governments to distribute contraceptives to protect public health. He also wants to lift the federal ban on needle exchanges.

Obama said it’s not enough to have the “right positions” on the issues. He said it’s just as important to win broad support for those positions — and that’s why he’ll continue bringing his message of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) equality to “skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones.

“I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary,” he said.

Obama promised that he will provide leadership that appeals “to the best parts of the human spirit,” with the goal of full equality for LGBT people in the United States.

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