"All in all, the president gave a very eloquent speech. But, you know what, we've heard those speeches already. He's the president now, not some candidate. He can do more than talk. And so far, he's chosen not to, and made up some pretty flimsy excuses to justify his action. And, while many of the so-called gay "leaders" in the East Room may be assuaged and bought off by the promise of champagne and a heartfelt "God bless you" from the man who promised much, lots more people are mad as hell and starting to think they're being taken for a ride."

"Political homophobes aren't gay-hating in the traditional sense. In fact, publicly, most are strong supporters of LGBT equality. But, behind closed doors, many Democratic leaders, consultants, Hill staffers and the rest will vociferously argue that there is no political benefit to actually supporting LGBT rights. Political homophobia is rampant among some Democrats. In some ways, it's worse than blatant homophobia, since we think most Democrats are on our side. And outwardly, they are.

Political homophobia dictates policy in DC more than we'd like to think."

www.americablog.com

It's an idea that I like to call homophobia by intertia. In his heart of hearts, President Obama does support equality. But, laws against gay equality are not about what is in his heart. Laws are not speeches.

I don't have a problem with being wrong here because we all win if I am, and we all lose if I am not. I do have a problem with being told before hand not to worry because at the end it will all work out. Since when is this how politics occurs? Don't worry, be happy. It will all work out. You'll see.

Maybe. Maybe not. Until it does, I hope those with any power will keep the pressure up because by the time the end comes- it is already too late.

Obama doesn't play traditional Democratic interest-group politics with quite the same vigor (or shamelessness) as most successful members of the party.

One manifestation of this is that you see fewer of the symbolic, "I'm on your side" type gestures from him.  This is particularly true where an expression of support carries a political risk, as it often does where gay rights are concerned because they remain a leading culture-war issue.

Ultimately, it's substance and not symbolism that matters.  But the symbolic stuff is how you earn the benefit of the doubt while people wait around for you to accomplish the substance.  At the end of the day, if Obama makes the changes that matter, of course I'll rank him above the Democrats who marched in all the gay pride parades but never really accomplished anything of note... but he actually has to do those things, naturally.

I always said the appeal of Obama was that he's the Democrat who hadn't disappointed us yet.  I hope time reveals me to be overly cynical!

most of the gay activists that i've worked with over time have been far more focused on local issues and local organizations.  i don't think there's enough "national" leadership, or at least, enough leadership (or organization) at the national scale.

i get the impression that focus on marriage equality and dadt are attempts to provide the overarching theme that the fight against aids once did.  repealing dadt is an important symbol because the expulsion of gays in the military constanting reverberates throughout the gay community.  it's like a periodic reminder that repression still exists.  so while i think your focus on other issues is laudable, you are wrong that they are not being addressed by gay organizations.

in chicago, there is an organization that is focused on poverty among gays (specifically, young gays) in tom tunney's ward.  there are several states that focus on the apparently growing connection between aids and african americans, including right here in illinois (i believe california is another); numerous local gay organizations have sprung up around that.  but both these groups face funding shortfalls here in illinois (just like other social agencies).  in gainesville, fl, the local lgbt community beat back some rather harsh legal provisions in 2008.  it seems to me that local lgbt groups are thriving, but they are not connected to each other, and i don't think they even have the means for communicating, let alone coordinating, with one another.

from my perspective, the gay community needs to get more active, more organized and more political if it's going to be successful.  it can't just count on the president to do everything.  i guess i think that gays need to be bolder.  get married (it's legal in massachusetts).  get divorced.  force the legal system to deal.  putting one's eggs all in one basket is never a smart way to succeed...

The main reason I'd like to get married is to have access to all of the federal benefits it provides. Married couples enjoy at least a few benefits that directly impact their financial security and their sense of financial security. Extending survival Social Security benefits to gay widows and widowers would have a direct impact on the financial security of gays, especially those that are poor. I really think this is why repeal of DOMA and working to get more and  more states to permit gay marriage are a political priority not just for the gay leadership, but the community as a whole.

"Gay marriage is a laudable goal. Repealing DADT has merit."

If one were to replace 'gay marriage' with another subject, say Latinos or African Americans, this statements would be considered  racist by some, as would their author.

As Lemos actually reads, I'm struck by any hint of moral outrage over the fact that GLBT's do not have equal rights.  Indeed, the way the right to serve as well as equal rights for families are treated like mere trifles, some may consider the statements and their author to be homophobic.   Who knows?

But the word obtuse sure seems apt.

Equating marriage with full equality is a mistake. If you want to assimilate and replicate a heterosexual lifestyle that's your choice but I don't. My gay lifestyle doesn't have a counterpart in the straight world and I doubt you would raise a finger in search of my equality. For me, living my life means living in a world apart from heterosexual values. Reading your comment, I am not sure you realize that I am openly gay. Nor am I sure that you read the post but rather glance at it.

The campaign against Prop 8 ate up $43.3 million dollars. Now the national organizations are day in and day out here in the Castro fund raising to over turn it. Meanwhile our local AIDS charities are facing a financial crunch. Part of the problem is the economy but the bigger problem is that funds are being diverted to fund the gay marriage fight.

I question the logic of this. We are spending huge sums for a political fight in order to benefit a select privileged few. Meanwhile health and gay poverty issues go unfunded. The life and death issues matter more in my view. It's a question of priorities.

The state and the city are cutting HIV funding and so the diversion of resources is having a devastating impact on the community here in SF. 75% of the transgendered here in SF are either unemployed or underemployed. 59% earn under $15,000. Did you know that 40% of those with HIV/AIDS here in SF have unstable housing or are homeless? Do you realize that HIV prevention and harm reduction programs are downsizing their programs for lack of funds? You can expect a spike in HIV rates. I spoke to two gay activists last week who basically told me the same thing: the gay marriage issue has become a distraction and there were already repercussions.

Gay marriage is increasingly a class issue. The affluent want it. The poor are either indifferent to it or too desperate for it to matter. You can enact gay marriage tomorrow and it won't change my life one iota but give me affordable health care and my life changes dramatically.

But don't just take my word for here's a long time gay activist saying the same thing.

The Price of Normal by Tommi Avicolli Mecca.

With a 2010 state proposition on gay marriage in the works and a national gay rally on the Washington Mall being planned for October 10-11 of that year, it's obvious that more and more of the LGBT community's resources are being funneled into the battle for marriage equality, while other causes go begging.

Already gay marriage has become a black hole that is sucking untold amounts of money, time, and energy out of our community. In the 2008 election alone, gay marriage supporters raised $43.3 million to defeat Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage initiative that California voters passed by 52 percent. It may be the biggest chunk of change the community has ever spent for a single fight.

The rest of the article is at the link. At the very least, I want to make you aware that not all gay activists think this focus on gay marriage uber alles is wise.