Obama's Transition Website

[Saxton]

There's a new website that is going to outline Barack Obama's transition to the Whitehouse. His agenda includes discrimination and hate crime legislation but it doesn't address marriage/civil partnerships at the Federal level. I guess I shouldn't be surprised but I was hopeful. I think we all need to be more vocal both at the State and Federal levels. If anything has come from this election I think it's a change in mindset, we can't sit back and wait for our time to come ... we need to make this our time.

http://www.change.gov/agenda/civilrights/

I'm tired of letting satan's minions treat us like second class citizens.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

http://www.change.gov/page/content/americanmoment

This transition is about selecting a new staff and agenda that will help reclaim the American dream and bring about positive lasting change to this country. In order to do that, we want to hear from you.

Tell us your story and the issues that matter most to you. Share with us your concerns and hopes. – the policies you want to see carried out in the next four years.

They are giving us the chance to have our voices heard. It's time for all of us to speak up and be heard.

"Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today." Barack Obama

I would like to think that if we do speak out and action is taken to give us the civil rights that we are due, then the children in our country that will eventually figure out that they are a part of the GLBT community, will indeed have a world to inhabit that is a little bit better than the one that we inhabit today. In turn, all citizens of this country will live in a better world, because there will be less hate. It may take another 40 years for that to happen, but I want to know that the GLBT community of tomorrow is one that doesn't live in fear, loathing, and second class citizenship.

If you want change, speak now!

 

[kingLouiethe1]

I still say don't expect great things from Obama for gays. We shouldn't support him so fervently if he isn't going to return the favor.

 

[wallyb]

I still say don't expect great things from Obama for gays. We shouldn't support him so fervently if he isn't going to return the favor.

Maybe he'll surprise us!
Don't you think we should give him a chance?

 

[OrlandoMike]

I doubt we will get anything major in his first term. He will be looking at re-election from day one, and will have to tread lightly on these matters. It's quite apparent the "majority" of folks in the USA are not ready for us to get married.

 

[wallyb]

I doubt we will get anything major in his first term. He will be looking at re-election from day one, and will have to tread lightly on these matters. It's quite apparent the "majority" of folks in the USA are not ready for us to get married.

Most of New England is!

 

[JohnZ46]

While I'm disappointed that gay rights aren't listed under his civil rights agenda, it wouldn't have changed my vote.

Ultimately, he's much more supportive of gay rights than the alternative. At the very least, I think that he'll select liberal Supreme Court justices should the opportunity arise.

 

[zulemara]

Obama has stated multiple times he is 100% for providing the legal bennefits of marriage, but doesn't want to call it marriage. Right now, I think that's a step in the right direction. At least he has a website where we can make our voices heard! When was the last time you saw that from ANY politician? He knows it's his ability to reach voters on the internet that played a large part in getting him elected.

Lets give him a chance. Personally if he repeals DOTD, the DOMA, and gets the Matthew Shepard act signed(which wouldn't be difficult) I would be very happy with his first term. Oh and of course he needs to appoint a liberal supreme court justice.

 

[Uncle Remus]

FYI
Re CA: He (Newsom) was quick to point out that today’s 4-3 decision in favor of offering protections for gay marriage rights took place in a court in which 6 of the 7 judges were appointed by Republican governors. Link

We need US justices who support the US Constitution and especially the 14th amendment of equal access: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

And Nancy Pelosi released this statement:

“I am deeply disappointed by the passage of Proposition 8. This ballot measure takes away individual rights and freedoms, and is rooted in the politics of division.
“The passage of this measure diminishes the California Constitution. We must continue to fight for equal treatment of all of California’s citizens and families. I strongly support the legal challenges underway to halt this dangerous revision of our State Constitution.”


We should all write our Congressional Reps.

 

[ChrizJen]

FYI
Re CA: He (Newsom) was quick to point out that today’s 4-3 decision in favor of offering protections for gay marriage rights took place in a court in which 6 of the 7 judges were appointed by Republican governors. Link

We need US justices who support the US Constitution and especially the 14th amendment of equal access: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

And Nancy Pelosi released this statement:

“I am deeply disappointed by the passage of Proposition 8. This ballot measure takes away individual rights and freedoms, and is rooted in the politics of division.
“The passage of this measure diminishes the California Constitution. We must continue to fight for equal treatment of all of California’s citizens and families. I strongly support the legal challenges underway to halt this dangerous revision of our State Constitution.”


We should all write our Congressional Reps.

Yes. We should. I for one am tired of sitting here AFTER another state writes hate into its constitution and thinking, "Why me? Why do they hate us so much that they would do this to us?" Why didn't I stand up and fight BEFORE it happened?
(For the record, I still would like to know how so many people can have so much hatred in their hearts that they would choose to deny rights, and then hide behind their religion to justify it.)

BUT...I think I'm done sitting back and asking when someone is going to come along and give us our due rights. If we keep doing the same things, we're going to keep getting the same results. It's time to for us to fight. I don't expect President-elect Obama to bend over backwards to give us our due. I think that until we start really acting like we want change, we're not going to see change. We may have the perfect opportunity with this administration to stand up and BE the change that we're looking for. This is the closest we've had in a very long time to having people in power who might actually be willing to HELP us get what we're entitled to. I'm not saying we should take to the streets and set cars on fire. It could be as simple as going to the very places where people don't know/like us. Introducing ourselves. Sending letters. Let people know that we are their neighbors. We have lives very similar to theirs. We have families. We have jobs and responsibilities just like them. And yes, we should all be writing to our local leaders.

As long as we sit back and wait for rights, we're not going to get them. Our neighbors and fellow Americans have made it perfectly clear that we're not getting squat without putting up a fight. They're obviously willing and able to mobilize and spend time, money, and energy to accomplish their hateful agenda. I think that we're just as capable of mobilizing to start fighting back.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Yes. We should. I for one am tired of sitting here AFTER another state writes hate into its constitution and thinking, "Why me? Why do they hate us so much that they would do this to us?" Why didn't I stand up and fight BEFORE it happened?
(For the record, I still would like to know how so many people can have so much hatred in their hearts that they would choose to deny rights, and then hide behind their religion to justify it.)

BUT...I think I'm done sitting back and asking when someone is going to come along and give us our due rights. If we keep doing the same things, we're going to keep getting the same results. It's time to for us to fight. I don't expect President-elect Obama to bend over backwards to give us our due. I think that until we start really acting like we want change, we're not going to see change. We may have the perfect opportunity with this administration to stand up and BE the change that we're looking for. This is the closest we've had in a very long time to having people in power who might actually be willing to HELP us get what we're entitled to. I'm not saying we should take to the streets and set cars on fire. It could be as simple as going to the very places where people don't know/like us. Introducing ourselves. Sending letters. Let people know that we are their neighbors. We have lives very similar to theirs. We have families. We have jobs and responsibilities just like them. And yes, we should all be writing to our local leaders.

As long as we sit back and wait for rights, we're not going to get them. Our neighbors and fellow Americans have made it perfectly clear that we're not getting squat without putting up a fight. They're obviously willing and able to mobilize and spend time, money, and energy to accomplish their hateful agenda. I think that we're just as capable of mobilizing to start fighting back.

You forgot to put stop 'n get milk on the way home on that above list, the gay "lifestyle."



And if possible, become active in orgs such as Lambda Legal, Victory Fund and Freedom to Marry to name a few.

 

[EWR2AUS]

Its a baby step, I know, but I was excited to see that the transition team added "sexual orientation" to the non-discrimination disclaimer on the jobs page:

The Obama-Biden Transition Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by law.

Of course, since we aren't protected from discrimination on the federal level, this is a good sign.

 

[Saxton]

Yes. We should. I for one am tired of sitting here AFTER another state writes hate into its constitution and thinking, "Why me? Why do they hate us so much that they would do this to us?" Why didn't I stand up and fight BEFORE it happened?
(For the record, I still would like to know how so many people can have so much hatred in their hearts that they would choose to deny rights, and then hide behind their religion to justify it.)

BUT...I think I'm done sitting back and asking when someone is going to come along and give us our due rights. If we keep doing the same things, we're going to keep getting the same results. It's time to for us to fight. I don't expect President-elect Obama to bend over backwards to give us our due. I think that until we start really acting like we want change, we're not going to see change. We may have the perfect opportunity with this administration to stand up and BE the change that we're looking for. This is the closest we've had in a very long time to having people in power who might actually be willing to HELP us get what we're entitled to. I'm not saying we should take to the streets and set cars on fire. It could be as simple as going to the very places where people don't know/like us. Introducing ourselves. Sending letters. Let people know that we are their neighbors. We have lives very similar to theirs. We have families. We have jobs and responsibilities just like them. And yes, we should all be writing to our local leaders.

As long as we sit back and wait for rights, we're not going to get them. Our neighbors and fellow Americans have made it perfectly clear that we're not getting squat without putting up a fight. They're obviously willing and able to mobilize and spend time, money, and energy to accomplish their hateful agenda. I think that we're just as capable of mobilizing to start fighting back.

Exactly! That's why I posted the website - we need to start fighting for our rights. Post messages on the site and tell all your friends to do the same, write members of congress and senators, contact your state officials, do whatever you have to be heard. Nothing will happen if we sit back and wait for change. I hope the demonstrations in California are the start of a new movement (thanks Louie!). Direct the anger and frustration into something constructive. Make this our time for change.

 

[cguill]

Good Luck

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Luck has nothing to do with it.

 

[NikkiPants]

I wrote that I want ALL men/women to be equal.
That's a hypocritical statment right there. The US is supposed to provide equality for all.

 

[zulemara]

While we're talking about the future, lets lobby to take away the tax exempt status of the mormon church based on their support of prop 8. I came across this website and it's gaining a lot of steam.
http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/
sign it and encourage everyone you know to do so.