While
I commend the Obama Administration's recent efforts to bring awareness to LGBT
issues and recognition to the important part that LGBT communities have made in
our history and continue to play today, I must admit that I question recent
methods. On June 1, 2009, President
Obama issued a national proclamation making this month Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender Pride Month. Don't get
me wrong; a commemorative month is much appreciated and definitely a huge step
in the right direction, but it begs the question, what happens in July? Military personnel will still be obliged to
hide their identities or be forced out of the armed services, and loving
couples will still be living in "separate but equal" relationships as compared
to their heterosexual peers and in most cases, those relationships are still
nowhere near equal.
So
I guess my point is twofold: 1) I want to thank President Obama tremendously
for taking this historical step and 2) I would like to urge the Administration
to continue on this path towards passing policies that promote freedom,
justice, transparency, and equal rights.
The Proclamation says it best: "The LGBT rights movement has achieved
great progress, but there is more work to be done." That is indeed the case, and I hope that work
includes the eventual passage of federal legislation granting equal rights for
all, including the right to marry and live openly no matter what your
profession or military affiliation.
