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Or, Why Did Obama Bow to the Evangelical Homophobes?Just when I thought I could finally stop being embarrassed I was an American thanks to our leaders’ antipathy toward human rights this decade, President-elect Obama picked a certified homophobic to lead the nation in prayer on Inauguration Day. It really put a sour note on the event for those who believe everyone deserves human rights, especially after the openly gay bishop who was hastily given a spot on Sunday’s pre-inaugural to counter the criticism ended up being cut from the broadcast. What did that do for equality?
Didn’t Obama learn anything from the Reverend Wright fiasco and how Wright subsequently used his connection to gain access to national megaphones? Doesn’t he realize that Rick Warren, founder of the staunchly evangelical and ironically named Saddleback Church, will similarly use the opportunity to claim legitimacy for homophobia? Does Obama think there was some sort of “signing statement” to the Bill of Rights and that he can pick and chose which portions he wants to obey? Didn’t we get enough of that with the Bush Administration?
I supported black civil rights in 60s, women’s civil rights in the 70s and gay civil rights in the 80s, even though physically I was none of those groups. I did it because I believed what I read in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I became a lawyer in part to help defend those rights because I recognized from history that protecting those rights in others, protects rights for us all. That is why it is hard to understand why Obama, of all people, would share the same podium with such an outspoken devoted opponent of equality, let alone be the one to invite him to share the national spotlight. It is one thing to do so for the purpose of debating him, but to listen without comment and then minutes later plan to swear to obey the Constitution, the entire Constitution, appalls me.
I understand that our replacement leader wants to eliminate polarization. It is an admirable goal, but at what expense if in doing so it causes a regression in seeking equal rights for all? While I remain hopeful, my hopefulness has been relegated to hoping it’s not back to being routinely embarrassed for being born in the US.
In any event, too bad our leaders don’t seem to truly believe the poetic words they tell the world are important.
