Libertarian Party blog: Gay critics say ‘too little, too late’ from Obama

posted by Donny Ferguson on Jun 17, 2009 at http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/gay-critics-say-too-little-too-late-from-obama

CNN reports that Obama’s attempt to buy off gay activists with federal benefits, after the White House compared them to pedophiles in a legal brief opposing gay marriage, is “too little, too late.”

CNN reports in part:

President Obama’s decision to grant some benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees is seen by some as his attempt to extend an olive branch to the gay and lesbian community, but critics say it’s “too little, too late.”

“It seems to me at least to be a nice gesture, but a disappointment,” said Richard Kim, a senior editor at The Nation magazine.

The memorandum Obama is signing Thursday is not expected to grant health and retirement benefits to same-sex partners, as that is prohibited under the Defense of Marriage Act…

…The rancor threatens to disrupt a big Democratic National Committee gay fundraiser in Washington next week.

Vice President Biden is the guest at next Thursday’s DNC’s LBGT Leadership Council 10th Annual Dinner in Washington. Critics are calling for Frank and other gay congressional leaders to boycott the dinner, for which tickets go for $1,000 to $30,000 a plate.

Activist David Mixner and blogger Andy Towle, two well-known gay rights advocates, announced that they were pulling out, citing disappointment with the DOMA brief…

…Given the support Obama received from the gay community during the campaign season, Kim said so far, the Obama administration has let gay and lesbian rights activists down.

Obama got 70 percent of the vote from those who identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual, according to CNN exit polls.

“I think there is an overwhelming feeling that he has not lived up to expectations on these matters,” he said.

Unlike the Obama administration, the Libertarian Party opposes DOMA and is working to repeal it. DOMA’s original author, Congressman Bob Barr, is now working to overturn the legislation and was the Libertarian Party’s 2008 presidential nominee.