President Obama Addressed L G B T Gala

[Carolyn Marie]

President Obama addressed the LGBT Leadership Council in New York City tonight. A portion of his speech is HERE. I don't think the video clip is of the entire speech, but I was disappointed that the TG Community got but a single mention, which was simply use of the word transgendered.

Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but there wasn't even any scraps thrown to us. I suppose we are supposed to be satisfied that he acknowledged our existence. Still, better him than Michelle Bachman, who seems to feel that we will all be going to hell. But anytime someone says something like that, i always remember Mark Twain's words: "Go to heaven for the climate, hell for the company."

Carolyn Marie

[Guest MonikaC]

Politics as usual. The campaign season is looming and politicians need to be careful about what they say or do that could provide fodder for their opponents.

Still... I wish that we would start to gain some respect and recognition among the main stream.

[Guest John Chiv]

Carolyn,

Once again the T gets the shaft, and even with same sex marriages, he said his views are evolving and this way he doesn't take a stand and can spin both sides. DADT was repealed after a growing discontent. Obama plays it safe, and plays to an audience. The LGBT community deserves better after their support of him. You may have an idea of my views but why I gave up on the Democratic party a long time ago is not a debate I will engage in the forums. I am independent. I am fiscally conservative and moderate on social issues to sum it up but more complex than I can explain here.

In my life as an out transman, I have successfully lobbied and achieved goals regardless of party and in my own life, acceptance has been more genmuine and unconditional in conservative circles. Then again that may be a personal thing for John because of the way I chose to deal with people.

Michele Bachman is not going to be the Republican candidate so am not too worried. I think it's time to put partisan politics aside and judge candidates on individual views. To me jobs, health care and other issues affect everyone, even the LGBT community and activists need to learn to play well with all.

John

[Guest Karo-chan]

Progress is very very slow with a Democrat President.

.....But it goes in the opposite direction with a Republican one.

Seems like the choice is pretty obvious. Would be nice if the United States had more than just an extreme right and center right party to choose from. But at least there isn't too much vote splitting that goes on in the US, so unlike in Canada you know your vote actually counts(Unless you vote third party).

[Guest briannatx]

i believe everyone should play well with others,

cuz there's to much goin on in this world.

gotta start communicating and stuff like that.

last time i checked we all bleed red..

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I voted for Obama - he was the best choice we had, sadly. All my life I have had to just hold my nose and pull the lever in the voting machine! We have a 'person of color' (not my words) as Governor of Louisiana - Bobby Jendal - of continental India descent. He too is a big disappointment as he just threw we GLBT under the bus.

So we should know now a politician is going to be a politician. We haven't had anything but 'plastic presidents' for a long time. I have to go back to Jimmy Carter (yes I am that old) to think of one that was half real.

But we survive... so far...

A note to you younger people - see if you can make it work better, before the US of A becomes like the Roman Empire, and the Vandals take the Handles!

Oh my - I guess I am really getting old - sounding like my parents!

Lizzy

[JenniferB]

"Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried." - Winston Churchill

Politicians generally are more concerned to stay in office. If any one of them supported transgender people openly then that person would be voted out of office. That's the nature of the game.

IMO the way to advance the cause is to work behind the scenes. The ultimate goal is equality. But first we should work on becoming more accepted in society. Just like transitioning, we need to learn patience. One step at a time.

Jenny

[Guest MonikaC]

Politicians generally are more concerned to stay in office. If any one of them supported transgender people openly then that person would be voted out of office. That's the nature of the game.

I truly believe that there have been several in office that would be strong supporters if anything trans related wasn't so taboo.

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

When i was young I was very idealistic......

I've only grown more realistic over the years....

I live with my eyes wide open now and not with tunnel vision.....

At one time I thought I could save the world...now, I can barely save myself.....

Remember to vote...

Donna Jean

[Guest MonikaC]

At one time I thought I could save the world...now, I can barely save myself.....

Instead, you spend your time saving all of us here!

[Guest Donna Jean]

Instead, you spend your time saving all of us here!

{{{{{{{{{{HUGGGGGGGG}}}}}}}}}}

Dee Jay

[Guest NatalieRene]

"Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried." - Winston Churchill

Politicians generally are more concerned to stay in office. If any one of them supported transgender people openly then that person would be voted out of office. That's the nature of the game.

IMO the way to advance the cause is to work behind the scenes. The ultimate goal is equality. But first we should work on becoming more accepted in society. Just like transitioning, we need to learn patience. One step at a time.

Jenny

Patience is code for knowing one's place and nothing more then holding us down. Equality has to be taken it's not given.

[Guest JaniceW]

This speech was quite interesting. While the gist of the comments he made wee favorable to the LGBT issues he was quite obvious in refusing to say "I support same sex marriage." in so many words even after having been directly asked the question. His token reference to transgender was just one more of the veiled lip service he seemed to be giving the entire LGBT agenda in New York.

[JenniferB]

Patience is code for knowing one's place and nothing more then holding us down. Equality has to be taken it's not given.

I am not sure what you mean by taken.

But I see your point about patience as far as politicians are concerned. Still patience does play a role , but that doesn't mean we should be idle. Doing things by force won't help the cause, it will just alienate people.

We must be seen. That is why Pride is important. It not only shows we are proud of who we are, but also depicts the injustice we have to endure. Also it is a peaceful protest. Hopefully in the near future we will be accepted by society for who we are.

Jenny

[Guest NatalieRene]

I am not sure what you mean by taken.

But I see your point about patience as far as politicians are concerned. Still patience does play a role , but that doesn't mean we should be idle. Doing things by force won't help the cause, it will just alienate people.

We must be seen. That is why Pride is important. It not only shows we are proud of who we are, but also depicts the injustice we have to endure. Also it is a peaceful protest. Hopefully in the near future we will be accepted by society for who we are.

Jenny

You don't have to use force to take something. Patience with no clear plan and begging for rights like scraps at the foot of the table of the master of the house is unacceptable though.

[Guest Vixen Amber]

I agree with natalie. We are always forced to wait for our rights, why should the majority have to approve it, let alone people who take constant breaks and stall it?

[Guest John Chiv]

Miss Natalie,

Your explaination of taken is great. I took the word taken to mean claim in the context you stated. That may not be what you meant and that is okay

John

[Guest JaniceW]

I agree with natalie. We are always forced to wait for our rights, why should the majority have to approve it, let alone people who take constant breaks and stall it?

If it is necessary for someone to approve your rights, then they are not rights at all, they are privileges. Privileges can be taken away too by the same group who gave them to you.

[Guest NatalieRene]

If it is necessary for someone to approve your rights, then they are not rights at all, they are privileges. Privileges can be taken away too by the same group who gave them to you.

Exactly and that is if they even give the rights to you. That is why we're going to have take the rights. That means just go out and be yourself no mater what any one else says. Don't make concessions. Just go out and be your self.

[Guest KimberlyF]

Exactly and that is if they even give the rights to you. That is why we're going to have take the rights. That means just go out and be yourself no mater what any one else says. Don't make concessions. Just go out and be your self.

So while gay marriage is approved in NY for the LGB, while protections for Ts get shot down, we'll just tell bosses they can't fire us and apartment owners they can't boot us, and cops we'll us any Gosh darned restroom we want in NY?

[Sally]

The very saddest part of this to me is simply that rights by my understanding belong to everyone and should not require some elected officials to deem to grant us that which we were actually ours from birth.

It is the job of organizations to limit or even remove rights that we all possessed before coming under the influence of these groups.

Somehow the perception of most people is that in order to grant the rights to one group means taking them away from someone else - how does gay marriage effect any other marriage - not at all only the 'marriage benefits' that should be there anyway - it will cost insurance companies money so they will charge more on all policies that give benefits to spouses - so as usual it is all about money and then money leads to political power and the cycle begins again.

Sorry if I seem a bit cynical but I have spent a lifetime watching these sort of things and yet we never seem to learn.

Love ya,

Sally

[Carolyn Marie]

I think I know why a few of the Republicans supported it in the end.

There will be more money going to the marriage industry, i.e. cakes, flowers, wedding planners, tuxedo and dress shops, photographers, and caterers and DJs (no, Dee Jay, not you). There will also be more money going to divorce lawyers, tax attorneys, marriage counselors, etc.

In other words, gay and lesbian marriages are good for the economy. Talk about a win win situation!

Carolyn Marie

[Guest KimberlyF]

This country was founded on the belief that we are born with certain rights that no man or government can legally take away.

The slaves were not legislated the privelidge of freedom. They were born free and immediately shackled in an unjust system.

We have the right to work for a living to provide for ourselves and our families and to obtain shelter. To be denied that right simply because we're trans is an injustice. It is not a denial of privelidge.

[Guest NatalieRene]

So while gay marriage is approved in NY for the LGB, while protections for Ts get shot down, we'll just tell bosses they can't fire us and apartment owners they can't boot us, and cops we'll us any Gosh darned restroom we want in NY?

Thats exactly what we do. If it comes to it civil disobedience is the next logical step in our struggle.