The Roller Coaster of Obama and Gay Rights

by Michael Jones · 2008-12-19 07:22:00 UTC
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Obama MilitaryAll of a sudden, I feel like I'm on a ride at Six Flags.

The saga of President-Elect Barack Obama and gay rights has seemingly taken another twist, with rumors out this morning that Obama might select openly gay Bill White, the President of the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum in New York, as his Secretary of the Navy.  Since this is a civilian position, the role doesn't necessarily conflict with the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" position, but it would certainly send shockwaves through all branches of the Armed Services to have an openly gay man as Secretary of the Navy (it's the same position that Virginia Sen. Jim Webb held under President Ronald Reagan).

At this point, I can really only think of one thing to say to Obama.  What the F?!

On any given day, I feel like the Obama administration is taking one step toward LGBT rights, and two steps back.  He appoints openly gay Nancy Sutley to a senior level environmental position in the White House, but names anti-gay pastor Rick Warren to lead the invocation at his inauguration.  He picks the first ever LGBT marching band to participate in his Inauguration Day festivities, but backtracks on whether he'll overturn the archaic "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the U.S. military.  He challenges his followers (even speaking from the pulpit of some churches) to be more inclusive and tolerant toward LGBT persons, but takes a stance against gay marriage and remained largely on the sidelines during the Prop 8 battle.

What's an LGBT person to do at this point?

The appointment of Bill White isn't a done deal by any means (other candidates are also being vetted).  But White has the backing of Rep. Jerold Nadler (D-NY) and Gen. Hugh Shelton, a former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Rumors also have it that the incoming Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, wants White in this position. So it's a real possibility.  I'll wait and see...this appointment would certainly demonstrate that Obama isn't completely tone-deaf when it comes to issues of LGBT rights, and might be the beginning of some healing between a rather hurt LGBT community and the incoming Obama administration.

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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