32 comments | 
Stampp Corbin is a San Diego City Commissioner, LGBT rights activist and former Co-Chair of the Obama LGBT Leadership Council during the presidential campaign.
When it comes to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equal rights, it has been a schizophrenic week for the Obama administration. Last Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Holder addressed LGBT Department of Justice employees at a Pride celebration held in the building. Holder said “…neither the frustrations of the past, nor the challenges of the future should deter us from our goal - our responsibility - to continue our efforts to ensure the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans.”
Last Thursday, the Attorney General filed a legal brief in a California federal case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that made arguments that compared same sex marriage to incest. Thursday, President Obama announced the extension of some benefits to LGBT federal employees; just not the most coveted ones, like health care and pension benefits. Oh that’s right, Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents that and you just wrote a legal brief defending it. When I wake up each morning, I feel a bit schizophrenic myself, “I love Obama, I hate Obama, I am ambivalent about Obama.” It’s maddening.
Someone get me a Prozac.
I ask, “Mr. President how can you argue for the legality of DOMA, when you are for its repeal?”
You really are talking out of both sides of your mouth and my community knows it.
The Administration’s specious argument was extolled in a press release “As it generally does with existing statutes, the Justice Department is defending the law on the books in court. The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system.”
Oh really, so can I expect the same response when your brief is filed in a Massachusetts federal case on June 29th? I certainly hope not. Mr. President make a different choice. Choose to lead.
Both Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton filed legal briefs arguing against existing law. The president says he is a “fierce advocate” for LGBT rights. Really? I don’t think comparing a marriage to my partner, to marrying my niece or sister, is being my fierce advocate. I expect the president will try to distance himself from the brief and even the press statement, but it is too late. If how I feel, as one of the president’s most ardent supporters, is any indication, Obama is in for a world of trouble over the next year with the LGBT community.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT rights organization, rightfully condemned Obama for the filing of the government’s DOMA brief. I could not agree more with the leadership of HRC. President Obama, your legal brief was clearly a mistake, a big mistake. After Prop 8, my partner and I feel we are playing a tragic game of Wipeout. Traveling through an obstacle course that we must master to get our rights; making it to the end in California, only to be told by voters that heat didn’t count. I expected obstacles to be placed in our path by our enemies; I just didn’t expect it from the President. I thought he was on our side; I still want to believe that.
Unfortunately, I will see everything that the Obama administration does for LGBT Americans through the lens of the DOMA brief. Meaning, I will be waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop, while praying President Obama delivers on his promises.
Next week, I am boycotting the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Democratic National Committee event honoring Vice President Biden to drive home my discontent. Many other prominent LGBT donors have also joined in the boycott. Is the announcement of benefits for LGBT federal employees to squash the boycott and the general uproar? Hmm…In politics, money talks. It is unlikely that Obama just put together this announcement in the last week to throw a bone to my community; it has been in the works for many weeks. I would have celebrated loudly had this been announced before the DOMA debacle, but now I will only give polite, muted applause. That pesky DOMA brief has ruined everything.
Mr. President, your DOMA mistake awakened a sleeping giant. He is mad as hell and is not going to take it anymore. You better get LGBT affirming legislation moving quickly or the coffers of the LGBT community will be slammed shut on the fingers of your administration and the DNC. You and the DNC may find themselves asking about our donations “if not now, when” as we have been asking about our rights for the last few months.
That’s simply the way I see it.
Stampp Corbin is a San Diego City Commissioner, LGBT rights activist and former co-chair of the Obama LGBT Leadership Council during the presidential campaign.
Tags: SDNN
Comment by: James F. Posted: June 18, 2009, 11:33 am
With each passing day, I am less and less a fan of this administration.
Comment by: Patrick Posted: June 18, 2009, 1:15 pm
Good for you, sir! Please get it through Mr. Obama’s thick skull that the LGBT community supported him because he SAID he supported us, and now it feels like he’s turning his back and walking away!
Comment by: Ken Spreitzer Posted: June 18, 2009, 1:15 pm
Here’s the question I’d like to ask the President:
Why do you believe that saving money for the federal government is a valid reason for denying marriage rights to same-sex couples?
Comment by: Another Ken Posted: June 18, 2009, 1:52 pm
Thanks, Ken Spreitzer. A good suggestion, but why stop there? If saving money is what it is all about, why not save even more by denying marriage rights to opposite-sex couples?
What a country! The land of the mostly free and the partly brave, with malice toward gays, with charity toward the rest, and freedom and liberty for all those whom we approve of in a referendum.
Comment by: Kate Schock Posted: June 18, 2009, 2:10 pm
I have been following this issue closely, not because I’m LGBT, I’m not, I’m an older heterosexual woman who believes that all people are entitled to human dignity and equal rights. Both the DOMA and DADT need to be repealed, certainly not defended in such hurtful and hateful language. I am also an Obama supporter and volunteered in my community to help elect him. However, if he continues with the double dealing doubletalk I’ve heard on this issue and a couple of others including single payer healthcare option, that will never happen again. I hope he takes a good long look in the mirror and sees the errors he has made on these issues and replays some of his campaign speeches and returns to his senses. I’m proud of you for standing up for your beliefs by boycotting the coming event. Not another penny to any group who doesn’t support every human being’s right to dignity and equal rights! Thanks for listening to my opinion.
Comment by: Don in Kansas Posted: June 18, 2009, 3:13 pm
I was a big supporter for Obama from the very first. He was also the first and only politician I have ever given money to. I had big hopes that he could really do something for us gay folks. But now it looks as if my hopes were misplaced. I keep trying to hope that he just needs time to accomplish the things that are important to me and other gay people…but hope is running out.
Comment by: Updates: Stonewall Dems pull out of DNC fundraiser over baffling pro-DOMA brief « The Word Warrior Posted: June 18, 2009, 5:06 pm
[...] Another dropout: Stampp Corbin, the frickin’ former co-chair of the Obama LGBT Leadership Council. [...]
Comment by: Methiso Posted: June 18, 2009, 5:06 pm
RIGHT ON !!
DOWN with Dem Duplicity !!
Keep those purses CLOSED tight, fellas.
Comment by: Brandon Posted: June 18, 2009, 6:14 pm
Thank you, Stampp. It’s so refreshing when someone is willing to read up on an issue and change their mind. I saw your appearance on CNN with Dan Savage and was kind of shocked by your defense of the Obama administration (I was a big fan too). I realize now you hadn’t had the chance to read the shameful brief the OBAMA DOJ filed.
Does he not have one gay advisor near to him? They are so tone-deaf on this issue (or worse, though I pray not). It is not 1993. We elected you, now give us our rights.
Comment by: Frank Posted: June 18, 2009, 10:10 pm
Stampp, you rock. Frank here from HRC in SD. I say no $ for Democrats until they work hard to repeal DADT and DOMA. When they ask for $, just say, sorry, my plate is too full right now to write a check.
Comment by: John Visser Posted: June 18, 2009, 10:34 pm
I was shocked to see Joe Lieberman there in the oval office while Obama signed the band-aid memo of scraps for the gays. Lieberman, as recently as June 2, 2009, stated in writing to me, one of his constituents, that he still supports DOMA and his religious conviction that marriage is between one man and one woman. JOE LIEBERMAN = JIM CROW. His lame attempt to make the gays happy by sponsoring a bill giving less than 1% of the LGBT community some benefits is just that - lame. I say again, JOE LIEBERMAN = JIM CROW.
Comment by: J Mitchell Posted: June 18, 2009, 10:45 pm
As a Canadian who believes that none of us are free until all of us are free, I gave a cash donation to Obama’s election campaign, in the fervent hope that he was not just another lying politician who would back off from his lofty promises once elected. I should have just given the money to a homeless gay kid. No thanks required. Oh, well. Good luck my Gay American cousins. I hope that one day you will be considered an equal participant in the American dream but I won’t be funding Obama and the Democrats to help make that so.
Comment by: Frank Fitz Posted: June 19, 2009, 6:24 am
LGBT folks will never be treated with respect by the larger community until they stop being obsessive about defining themselves by their sexual practices.
Comment by: Hell Hath No Fury Like A Voting Bloc Scorned « In Repair Posted: June 19, 2009, 6:39 am
[...] week at an astonishing rate. Even the former co-chair of Obama’s LGBT Leadership Council has decided not to [...]
Comment by: Morning Widdershins: A Pattern of Disrespect « The Widdershins Posted: June 19, 2009, 6:49 am
[...] I posted this as an update to a post about the furor over the DOMA brief yesterday, but it’s significant enough that the former head (during the campaign) of the Obama LGBT Leadership Council Stampp Corbin pulled out of the Democratic LGBT Fundraiser yesterday. He writes on his blog: [...]
Comment by: VpO Posted: June 19, 2009, 7:43 am
Great post! I couldn’t agree more.
Enough is enough. We’ve been waiting for full equality for way too long. The President and DNC need to know we will not be taken for granted!
Comment by: Antonio Posted: June 19, 2009, 7:57 am
Frank, consider the possibility that LGBT folks are not obsessed with defining ourselves by our sexual practices, and maybe it’s the larger community who actually is. Being gay, for those of us who are, is not about sexual “practices” at all. Being gay is about genuinely and naturally having an emotional, romantic and yes sexual attraction to the same gender. This in not unlike the attractions heterosexuals have for the opposite gender. My observation and experience is that heterosexuals (heterosexual men in particular) tend to be obsessed with LGBT sexual practices. I understand that much of this obsession is due to the fact the gay and sex (perverted sex to be more specific) has been made synonymous in the public discourse. Consequently, non-gays often have a very hard time understanding LGBT folks from any place other that our crotches. I invite those who believe that we are defined by or obsessed with our sexual practices to, please stop projecting and simply look at LGBT folks as people who want to live lives of promise and contribution like most other Americans and desire to live those lives in the protected companionship of the person of their desire. Is that really too much to ask?
Comment by: DYB Posted: June 19, 2009, 8:03 am
Welcome under the bus, Mr. Corbin! Some of us have been here for a while. I started realizing something was amiss with Obama when he stood side-by-side with Donnie McClurkin, James Meeks, Mary Mary. And then refused to be interviewed by gay publications for most of the Democratic primaries. And then refused to have his picture taken with the (heterosexual!) Gavin Newsom. And then refused to attend the Chicago Pride Parade last summer. And then had Douglas Kmiec, major opponent of gay marriage, campaign for him in CA just as Prop 8 heated up. And then came Rick Warren. And the snubbing of Bishop Robinson. You see a pattern developing, don’t you? But even for someone who’s been paying attention to Obama’s homobigotry as much as me I was stunned by the DOMA-DOJ brief. The Administration sunk to a new low. And it’s time to stop making apologies for Obama’s actions. Let’s look reality in the eye and take our rights, even if they refuse to give them. The idea that we must “wait our turn” is absurd. We didn’t start asking for our rights last month!
Comment by: DYB Posted: June 19, 2009, 8:58 am
Mr. “J Mitchell’s” comment is interesting. You are a Canadian national and you donated money to a US politician’s campaign? I believe that may be illegal. And Obama’s acceptance of your money may also be against the law.
Comment by: DYB Posted: June 19, 2009, 9:05 am
Frank Fitz wrote: “LGBT folks will never be treated with respect by the larger community until they stop being obsessive about defining themselves by their sexual practices.”
What the hell does that even mean? Homophobes are more obsessed with gay sex than gay people. People like Rev. Phelps spend their entire lives thinking of nothing but gay sex
Comment by: DYB Posted: June 19, 2009, 9:15 am
And let me just add that the issue is not just Obama and his Administration. It is also the wider DNC. Tim Kaine, head of the DNC, is a rabid homophobe. And let us not forget that Donna Brazile famously declared that comparing gay rights to civil rights is an “affront to the civil rights movement.” Nancy Pelosi says she wants Congress to stay out of gay marriage. Harry Reid says he wants to see DADT addressed “Administratively.” Obama says his hands are tied and he can’t do anything! Excuse me, but so-called “Democrats” are controlling all three branches of government and nobody wants to touch gay rights with a 10 foot pole. Everyone likes to run around screaming that Bill Clinton gave us DOMA. Actually, the President doesn’t write legislation. Congress does. Congress wrote DOMA and passed it. Have you looked at the vote? House passed it 342-67. Senate passed it 85-14. Look at those numbers! I wish President Clinton vetoed the bill, but those numbers are not only veto proof, they wipe the floor with the Presidential veto. That’s a lot of Democrats voting for DOMA. Many of those same Democrats are still in Congress today. Let us not kid ourselves that Democrats are any better on this than Republicans. When Darth Cheney is to the left of Democrats on gay marriage….we have a serious problem on our hands! And the problem won’t go away until we ask for payment upfront from Democrats from now on. Not “We’ll help you now if you help us later.” No, DNC has to do something for us first. No more “I owe you’s!”
Comment by: Most popular stories on San Diego News Network Posted: June 19, 2009, 9:27 am
[...] Staff tweetmeme_url = ‘http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-06-14/blog/conversation-sandiego/most-popular-stories-on-san-diego-news-network-13′;tweetmeme_source = ‘SDNewsNetwork’; 1. Stampp Corbin: The DOMA brief ruined everything [...]
Comment by: nadia Posted: June 19, 2009, 10:15 am
hellooooo! the thing that continues to get me to shaking my head is why, why, why did you ever think that Obama would be in your corner? what is it in his lifetime of good deeds and actions (HAH!) that would lead you to believe that he is honorable, trustworthy, able, a leader, or a thinker? did you not peruse his scant resume’ before casting your vote? did you not notice that he left no fingerprints ANYWHERE in his short life/career? and that those he has left have been photoshopped to death by the media in his pocket, among all those others in his pants? no college records, papers, state senate records, nothing. do you even know who financed his eduation? the way he treated Hillary during his campaign should have been enough to show that he is useless. the way he sat in a church for 20 years and listened to hate rant should have been enough to show that he is useless. the way he denied knowing/hearing the hate rant for 20 years should have been enough to show he is useless. the way he used the race card during his campaign should have been enough to show he is useless. the way he flipped on FISA, DOMA, DADT, campaign finance…the list goes on and on. the way he refused to have his photo taken with Gavin Newsome. Come on. Are you blind or what? Are you deaf? I am happy that you are finally seeing his true colors, but you know what? We are so in need of actual, true, REAL change in this country, on every single issue we face, and we had a chance for that in Hillary, and the people fell once again for the fraud. AGAIN. after 8 years it happened again. And no one can say they weren’t warned. It was all there for the reading, watching, and listening ~ if you were looking, watching, and really listening.
Now comes the really hard part. what the hell do we do now that he is in office? a bit late don’t you think? the democrats/dnc betrayed every single one of us when they selected Obummer for the nominee through back-room deals and caucus fraud last year. it was amazing to watch my country fall further and deeper into the abyss and be helpless to do anything about it.
it is sad and heartbreaking, but Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and the sooner the electorate sees and acknowledges this, the sooner we will be able to remedy the situation. the democratic party was split deeply and irreversibly in 2008. i will never ever never ever forget the lawlessnes, fraud, and hoodwinking done at the hands of Alxerove/Obama/Emmanuel et al, and I won’t return to my party until the likes of them are cast out for the wrong-doers we all know they are. heaven help us all and thank you thank you thank you for finally opening your eyes and getting the clear picture. ask yourself this question: who is Obama and what does he stand for/believe? ANYTHING?
Comment by: Dale Posted: June 19, 2009, 3:31 pm
Obama was more reactive, maybe even apologetic about Air Force One flying low over NYC. Didn’t someone loose their job over this?
But not a word after this disgusting brief was filed. A few hundred New Yorkers got scared compared to a few million who got reminded why they rate as second-class citizens.
Comment by: Jackie O Posted: June 19, 2009, 8:40 pm
What? Obama Schizophrenic?? Isnt’ this the same Stamp Corbin I saw on CNN/Campbell Brown a week ago defending Obama? Perhaps Mr. Corbin is the Schizo one. Make up your mind. Decide what you stand for. Decide whether you are going to let the President trample all over you or not. And once you’ve made up your mind, stick with it. One might think this Stamporoni just likes his name in the media and the more often he changes his tune the more often it will get played. Perhaps he should run for President!
Comment by: Ray Ray Posted: June 20, 2009, 9:06 am
Thank you! I find the Obama Administration’s backtracking, flip flopping, and outright hostility in the DOMA brief appalling. I have always questioned his commitment to the LGBT cause because the signs have always been there…he undermined the fight against Prop 8 by making an appearance at Rick Warren’s church in a state he was bound to win. But he and the Dems sure seem happy enough to keep taking LGBT money! The hypocrisy is ugly. I am very disappointed.
Comment by: T Posted: June 20, 2009, 8:16 pm
Thank you for not participating in the DNC fundraiser.
I will not support the DNC party any longer. I will only support a few select gay and lesbian officials who actually do something for our community including getting our full citizenship and basic civil rights. Don’t ask me to sit in the back of bus.
Comment by: glennmcgahee Posted: June 21, 2009, 9:22 am
I was never an Obama supporter. I witnessed firstand the appearances of Donnie McClurkin in Obama’s very first campaign swing through the South. It was shocking. After that and after closely monitoring his actions, refusing to be photographed with Gavin Newsome, refusing an appearance or statement for gay pride in Chicago, refusing interviews with gay media before the nomination, I became acutely aware of Obama’s willingness to co-opt us for money and votes but not willing to get out there and do what counted. Then when Prop 8 and Amendment 2 (Florida) happened, not a peep from Obama. His words did count or could have. But you must realize he’s got another election to win. That would be in 2012. Obama - the perpetual campaigner. Thats all he’s ever done. Run for the next office. Thats why his Senate and state record were so inadequate. He’s never stood up for anything with conviction. They accused the Clintons of triangulation. Please, never seen it done like Obama does it. Clinton was up against a powerful Republican majority, Sam Nunn of Ga , a Democrat and Obama supporter caused DADT when Clinton dared to keep his promise to us by allowing us to serve openly in the military. That was his first act when he got in office. How brave was that. Obama doesn’t have a brave convition in his body. Remember “just words”?Thats all he is. Just words. Whats really sad is how so many jumped on his bandwagon without question. Bush was elected because folks would rather have a beer with him. When are we gonna use intelligence instead of emotion when voting?
Comment by: Box Turtle Bulletin » More Groups Send Their Regrets To DNC Fundraiser Posted: June 22, 2009, 6:37 pm
[...] Mary Bonauto, San Diego City Commissioner and former co-chair of the Obama LGBT Leadership Council Stampp Corbin, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Rea Carey, Utah businessman Bruce [...]
Comment by: Susan Posted: June 27, 2009, 4:21 pm
I must say - as a straight woman - I’m appalled at this and Obama! Why can’t the world let our lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people live their lives in peace? Have we learned NOTHING from slavery, discrimination and hate? Giving all of gods children their RIGHTS hurts no one! All of those that complain about gay marriage… they are simply not affected by whether or not a gay man or woman can enter a contract of love and have all the rights of a typical married couple. I simply do not understand why they can’t see how blatant the discrimination is!!! Why must we be even speaking about this? This should be a non- issue solved long ago.
All people should be allowed to marry, adopt children, get spouses benefits and health insurance and live their lives in peace and harmony - and acceptance in all our laws.
I truly feel for all of you!
Stand your ground and hold Obama to the plate - although I doubt he can be trusted. He has too many faces - and tells all what they want to hear.
Comment by: Stonewall’s unfinished legacy | Nancy Goldstein | A Great President Posted: June 28, 2009, 7:46 am
[...] the DNC fundraiser in droves, often leaving very articulate, very public statements of disgust and disillusionment in their wake. And activists, including Aravosis and Pam Spaulding of Pam’s House Blend, have [...]
Comment by: Stampp Corbin: Dinner with the President and a some-what DOMA-related apology Posted: July 1, 2009, 7:50 am
[...] Links: More by Stampp | More from “A more perfect union” | More [...]