How President Obama Is Like Target's CEO on Gay Rights

Many of us are familiar with the cliche: "You can't have your cake and eat it, too."

Perhaps someone should clue both President Obama and Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel in on what this line means. Because both men have, in very different ways, proven that while they're willing to put on a show of support for the LGBT community, they're not entirely down with the goal of equal rights.

In President Obama's case, this became all too apparent in the wake of yesterday's decision in California, where Judge Vaughn Walker declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional. In the immediate aftermath of the decision, here's what a spokesperson for the President told the press.

"The President has spoken out in opposition to Proposition 8 because it is divisive and discriminatory. He will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans." That's according to Ben LaBolt, a White House spokesperson. So does that mean that the President will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans in the form of equal marriage rights?

Not so fast.

David Axelrod, the President's senior most adviser, made the rounds of television today where he made it crystal clear that while President Obama enjoys the gays, he doesn't enjoy the idea of them getting married.

"The president does oppose same-sex marriage, but he supports equality for gay and lesbian couples, and benefits and other issues, and that has been effectuated in federal agencies under his control," Axelrod said. He went on to add that President Obama thinks that marriage equality is ""an issue for the states."

So the President wants the support of LGBT voters, and wants to wear the mantle of "equal rights champion" ... he's just unwilling to support a principle, marriage equality, that would give LGBT Americans full equality.

How is that position like Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel's position on LGBT rights? Witness the statements Steinhafel has made in the wake of a controversial donation that Target Corporation made to support a vehemently anti-gay politician in Minnesota, Tom Emmer. After activists found out that Target dropped $150,000 to support Tom Emmer and his political platform (which includes banning gays and lesbians from parenting, as well as excluding them from marriage), Steinhafel tried to assure LGBT customers that Target loved them.

"In the context of this contribution, some of you have raised questions regarding our commitment to diversity, and more specifically, the GLBT community. Let me be very clear: Target's support of the GLBT community is unwavering, and inclusiveness remains a core value of our company," Steinhafel said.

Yes, that "unwavering" support says that when you're within a Target store, you'll be treated with dignity and respect. But out in the real world? Nah, we'll go ahead and help elect candidates who want to keep LGBT people second class citizens.

It's a catch-22 for both President Obama and Gregg Steinhafel. Both want the support of LGBT people (either in the form of voters or customers). And both have run entities (in Obama's case, an administration, and in Steinhafel's case, a company) that have taken some great steps for equality. But is it enough? Can you truly say that you're a "fierce advocate for gay rights," as Obama has said, or that your commitment to the LGBT community is "unwavering," as Steinhafel has said, if you're not willing to go all the way in support of equal rights?

For a President, let alone one who is a constitutional scholar, all the way means signing on to support marriage equality. Heck, President Obama used to support same-sex marriage back before running for President was in style. Why can't he bite off that political apple today?

And for a CEO, that means not only working within a company to champion LGBT equality -- it also means not helping or supporting people in the outside world who would demonize or mistreat those same LGBT employees or customers.

So President Obama, meet Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel. I have a feeling that if you both were gay, you'd really hit it off. Which would be wonderful ... so long as we had a President who supported your right to be together, and a business not working to keep you second class citizens.

Photo credit: The White House