On Monday, President Obama held a reception to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which is considered the beginning of the modern Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality movement. I was surprised and honored to receive an invitation.
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.
The invitation was unassuming, and simply stated “The President and Mrs. Obama request the pleasure of your company at a reception to be held at the White House” with all the other pertinent information, as well as a number to RSVP to the Social Secretary. What was interesting was the fact that I was allowed to bring a guest, which is not customary for these types of functions at the White House. For example, the invitees to the recent Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were not afforded the same opportunity to bring someone. This was clearly a nod of acknowledgement by the President and First Lady to the importance of LGBT relationships. Needless to say, I took my partner of 12 years, Scott Bishop.
What I immediately noted was the diversity of the 250 attendees. I have worked in political campaigns, as well as LGBT equality for decades, and this was one of the most diverse gatherings of my community that I have ever attended. It was truly inspiring. It should also be noted that the last time a gathering about LGBT Americans was held in the White House, it was by George W. Bush who was extolling the Federal Marriage Amendment in an attempt to write discrimination into the constitution. Progress has definitely been made.
Now the really important part, the President spoke for about 20 minutes. He gave the expected soaring oratory about the pursuit of equality by the LGBT community and the contributions that LGBT Americans have made to the country. What struck me most was when the President said “And I know that many in this room don’t believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that. It’s not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half century ago.”
President Obama also said “We have made progress and we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I’ve made, but by the promises that my administration keeps…. We’ve been in office six months now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration.” These statements seem to suggest that the President is inviting the LGBT community to put the pressure on. Shocking.
After the DOMA brief debacle and the resulting backlash, Mr. President you are suggesting that we need to continue to pressure your administration? I thought you would be a little shell shocked. In fact the President gave somewhat of an apology for the whole DOMA affair; he said “I’ve called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to help end discrimination — to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in this country. Now, I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law.”
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Well Mr. President, there are millions of LGBT Americans who are willing to put the pressure on to make you respond to our issues. Clearly, you heard and felt our anger about the lack of speed you have exhibited to address LGBT inequality. That will be child’s play compared to the response you will be getting from us over the next several months. You want us to put the pressure on? We hear you loud and clear. We will be expecting substantial results quickly and will not go quietly back to our corners because of a lovely event.
Mr. President, expect the LGBT community to be out in full force, holding you to your promises and celebrating results, not speeches. We will be writing and calling our Congressmen and Senators; telling them that we want Hate Crimes Legislation passed now and we want the recently reintroduced Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which gives LGBT Americans employment protections, passed by October. That’s how we will keep the pressure on, Mr. President. There will be some who even will gather in the Capitol in October to protest your administration’s lack of attention to equal protection for LGBT Americans. You want pressure? We’ll give it to you in spades.
Only time will tell whether the congressional leadership gets the President legislation he can sign that moves LGBT equality forward. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid need to be held to account for their actions, just like the President. Time will tell whether the President can get the military to support congressional repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which allows patriotic gay and lesbian Americans to be unceremoniously discharged from the armed forces. Time will tell whether the President has the political will to work with congressional leadership to move for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. I hope the entire LGBT community gets engaged at the state and local level to pressure Congress to move LGBT positive legislation forward. We all know President Obama cannot achieve LGBT equality by the stroke of a pen. However Mr. President, actions speak louder than words. And the LGBT community is prepared to force you to act now.
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: don't ask don't tell, equality, harry reid, hate crimes legislation, LGBT, nancy pelosi, SDNN
Comment by: Eric Posted: July 2, 2009, 7:41 pm
Love it!
Comment by: Candace Carroll Posted: July 5, 2009, 7:39 pm
I enjoyed this article, but do not agree that President Obama’s remarks were inviting the LGBT community to “put the pressure on.” On the contrary, it sounds to me as though he promised he would make things better for the LGBT community whether they keep the pressure on or not. You may think it would be better and smarter to keep the pressure on, and you may be right, but I do not agree that the president was inviting it.
Comment by: On DC . . . and the DC Orgs Posted: July 12, 2009, 10:24 pm
[...] didn’t understand the depth of the activist/blogger uproar. Sure, there are a couple, like Stampp Corbin, who bridge both — but most folks fit into one camp or the other. Even the more pro-Obama [...]