Obama Pride: By Mark R. Kerr

In a letter to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) voters, the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama has stated that if elected, he would put his administration behind two measures dealing with hate crimes and employment discrimination.

Senator Obama wrote that he would work for the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to expand current federal hate crimes statutes to include sex and sexual orientation and an Employment Non Discrimination Act which would prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, perceived or otherwise.

In his letter, Obama wrote that he hopes he and his supporters can work inclusively to secure equal rights and would never compromise on a commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans but would work to continue an open dialogue with those opposing such measures, calling them challenging and necessary.

When it comes to the “Defense of Marriage Act” adopted by Congress and signed by then President Bill Clinton in 1996, Obama affirmed his initial statements calling for the complete repeal of the federal law, prohibiting the federal government from recognizing committed, same-sex relationships.

Obama called for the extension of the 1,138 rights and benefits to committed, same-sex couples and their families for which opposite-sex couples and their families currently receive, although the same-sex relationships would be recognized on the federal level as a “civil union.”

“I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment but I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for Gay and Lesbian couples, whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union or a civil marriage.”

Gays and Lesbians would be able to serve openly and proudly in the armed services in an Obama administration.

Obama expressed his opposition to state laws that hinder or prohibit Gays and Lesbians, either single or same-sex couples from adopting children writing “As your president, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws.”

Funding for HIV/AIDS research and programs would be increased in an Obama administration. While in the Senate, Obama sponsored the Early Treatment for HIV Act that offer states the option to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV-positive Americans as “categorically needy.”

Words are one thing but the campaign has and will continue to maintain a visible presence at LGBT Pride events across the country, registering and informing voters of Obama’s stances and positions on the issues of concern.

For more information or to volunteer, go online to the campaign website.