Gaying Up Obama's Bully Pulpit

by Michael Jones · 2010-03-15 16:03:00 UTC
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ObamaPresident Obama should listen to 10-year-olds more often. Children do say the darndest things. And more often than not these days, they're saying things so profound they make our leaders look like amateurs.

Such is the case with Will Phillips, the groovy 10-year-old from Arkansas who made a name for himself last year by refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance in class until we were truly one nation that provided liberty and justice for all -- not just liberty and justice for the straight folks. At the time, it was a bold and profound move for someone who could see that while words are nice, actions speak louder.

Phillips was honored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation this past weekend during their annual awards. Phillips joined Joy Behar ("So what, who cares?!"), Cynthia Nixon, and a host of other celebrities in receiving kudos for working for LGBT equal rights, through the media, through advocacy, or a combination of both.

But it was Phillips who stole the show, with his rousing shout out to the Obama administration. For Phillips, it's time to gay up Obama's bully pulpit, and inject a dose of courage into #44's administration.

"A message to President Obama. I know there's certain political restraints that make action difficult. However, lack of equality for some is lack of equality for all. I think it's time for us all to get equal," Phillips said to rousing cheers. "President Theodore Roosevelt often mentioned the bully pulpit of the presidency. My voice is small, has gone far and with hope has done much good. I think the bully pulpit of your office could go farther and with help do much more."

Burned, Obama. But the truth sometimes hurts. Check out video of Phillips speech after the jump. If only Phillips and maybe Rahm Emanuel could switch places for a day ... or three years. After all, President Obama himself told a roomful of LGBT activists last October, "It's not for me to tell you to be patient." Count Will Phillips among the impatient who want to see some hope and change on LGBT equality happen soon.



Photo credit: The White House

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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