Politics and Media News Headlines 6/17/09

Obama Extends Benefits To Gay Federal Employees (by The Cajun Boy at Gawker)
The AP [reported Tuesday] that the Obama administration plans to announce [Wednesday] that they're extending the same benefits available to spouses of straight employees to the spouses of gay and lesbian federal employees... Interestingly, the move comes the day after two prominent gay men, activist David Mixner and blogger Andy Towle, announced that they would boycott an upcoming DNC fundraiser out of concern that the Obama White House was supporting policies detrimental to the gay rights cause. Coincidence?
And where did the idea come from? From Hillary, of course.

Obama OKs Some Benefits for Gay Federal Workers' Partners (Truthdig)
It would take new legislation to extend full health coverage to the same-sex partners of federal employees, but President Obama, via presidential memorandum, will grant some benefits to them. The administration is already on thin ice with gay activists, some of whom are angry about a Justice Department brief defending the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, the very law that prevents the government from recognizing the rights of gay couples.

Daniel Politi is not impressed:
Obama Throws Gays a Crumb (by Daniel Politi, Slate)
Due to this increasing disappointment in Obama's administration, gay rights supporters couldn't muster much enthusiasm for the news. An adviser to the Clinton administration on gay issues tells the NYT that "more important now is what he says tomorrow about the future for gay people during his presidency."

Discussing Obama and DOMA, Limbaugh litters monologue with anti-LGBT innuendo (County Fair, Media Matters for America)

Reid Clarifies His Position On DADT: 'We Would Welcome A Legislative Proposal From The White House' (Think Progress)
During a press conference [Monday], Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) attracted attention when a reporter asked him whether the Senate will be pushing for a bill to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT): "...'My hope is that it can be done administratively.'" The Obama administration has repeatedly resisted calls to suspend DADT by executive order. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs last month said that President Obama is looking for a "durable legislative solution," and Obama himself has written that repeal of the policy "needs Congressional action." Many LGBT bloggers immediately criticized Reid's comments, saying that Obama and Congress were "playing hot potato over DADT."

[Tuesday] in a statement to ThinkProgress, Reid's office clarified the senator's remarks, saying that what he is looking for is a "legislative proposal" from the White House. Additionally, while the Senate does not currently have a bill introduced, "a number" of senators are working on one.

...and your flag lapel pin, too! (by Tengrain at Mock, Paper, Scissors)
When the whisperers and the naysayers try to appease the LGBTQ community that there is too much going on with two wars, the Great Recession, Healthcare reform, international tensions, and so forth, they need to be called on their bullshit... Right now, this very moment, the Dims have control of the White House, and the Congress, and enough of the Senate that they can make real change. By the midterm elections, they might not have it; hell they probably won't have it if history is any guide. There is literally no better time than the present to make real progress. It will not happen on its own, the only thing that is missing is the political willpower and leadership...

What they are not willing to say (or put in writing) is that LGBTQ rights are not priorities. But let's be honest for a moment: they are really saying that Human Rights are not a priority. I do not accept that, and I don't think anyone else should either.

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Carolyn Kay                      
MakeThemAccountable.com