Responding to a politically inarticulate (i.e. offensive) brief issued by the Obama administration in defense of the Defense of Marriage Act, The Human Rights Campaign is raising hell.
The Obama administration has made significant overtures to the LGBT community, such as giving them valuable face-to-face time and outlining their proposed approach to “don’t ask-don’t tell” and gay marriage. Obama has appointed openly gay staff to his cabinet. He tries to echo the “fierce advocate” pledge he gave the community during his campaign. But the clock may be ticking for Obama to deliver something more substantial.
After an unnecessarily insulting brief leaked last week, Joe Solomonese of The Huma Rights Campaign, a prominent group in the LGBT community, wrote this open letter to the president. It gets to the crux of the issue: your marriage is as valid as mine.
Last week, when your administration filed a brief defending the constitutionality of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,”[1] I realized that although I and other LGBT leaders have introduced ourselves to you as policy makers, we clearly have not been heard, and seen, as what we also are: human beings whose lives, loves, and families are equal to yours. I know this because this brief would not have seen the light of day if someone in your administration who truly recognized our humanity and equality had weighed in with you ….
As an American, a civil rights advocate, and a human being, I hold this administration to a higher standard than this brief. In the course of your campaign, I became convinced—and I still want to believe—that you do, too. I have seen your administration aspire and achieve. Protecting women from employment discrimination. Insuring millions of children. Enabling stem cell research to go forward. These are powerful achievements. And they serve as evidence to me that this brief should not be good enough for you. The question is, Mr. President—do you believe that it’s good enough for us?
If we are your equals, if you recognize that our families live the same, love the same, and contribute as much as yours, then the answer must be no.
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