Jun

29

Obama Calls on Congress to Repeal Anti-Gay DOMA and DADT

Filed Under Barack Obama, DADT, LGBT, Politics 

At a press conference designed to appease Obama critics in the LGBT community, President Obama 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.”

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. I’ve made that clear.

I’m also urging Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, which will guarantee the full range of benefits, including health care, to LGBT couples and their children. My administration is also working hard to pass an employee non-discrimination bill and hate crimes bill, and we’re making progress on both fronts. Judy and Dennis Shepard, as well as their son Logan, are here today. I met with Judy in the Oval Office in May — and I assured her and I assured all of you that we are going to pass an inclusive hate crimes bill into law, a bill named for their son Matthew.

. . .

And finally, I want to say a word about “don’t ask, don’t tell.” As I said before — I’ll say it again — I believe “don’t ask, don’t tell” doesn’t contribute to our national security. In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security.

During the press conference, Obama also called out anti-gay Black Americans – a move I’m sure will make those upper-class white male homosexuals over at HRC very, very happy:

Now, even as we take these steps, we must recognize that real progress depends not only on the laws we change but, as I said before, on the hearts we open. For if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that there are good and decent people in this country who don’t yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters — not yet.

That’s why I’ve spoken about these issues not just in front of you, but in front of unlikely audiences — in front of African American church members, in front of other audiences that have traditionally resisted these changes. And that’s what I’ll continue to do so. That’s how we’ll shift attitudes. That’s how we’ll honor the legacy of leaders like Frank and many others who have refused to accept anything less than full and equal citizenship.

The LGBT community has heard Obama promise to repeal DADT and DOMA for quite some time now. WHEN will we actually see some action?

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2 Responses to “Obama Calls on Congress to Repeal Anti-Gay DOMA and DADT”

  1. links for 2009-06-30 - Kevin Bondelli’s Youth Vote Blog on June 30th, 2009 1:30 pm

    [...] Obama Calls on Congress to Repeal Anti-Gay DOMA and DADT : SistersTalk [...]

  2. Obama Uses The Word ‘Change’ Instead of ‘Repeal’ When Asked About DADT : SistersTalk on July 13th, 2009 7:39 pm

    [...] Obama used the word “changed” instead of “repealed,” although he recently called on Congress to repeal both DADT and the Defense of Marriage Act [...]

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