Gay Rights and the Obama Administration
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Gays and lesbians who supported Barack Obama are demanding action from the Obama White House. We hear how the President has addressed their growing impatience and what it could mean for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Defense of Marriage Act and other federal policies. Also, US troops pull out of Iraqi cities, and the deposed President of Honduras demands to get back his job with support from the US, the UN and the Organization of American States.
Making News
US Troops Pull Out of Iraqi Cities ()
A car bomb that killed 24 people marred celebration of Iraq's "National Sovereignty Day" as US troops officially withdrew from towns and cities. But 130,000 American soldiers still remain in the country. Commanding General Ray Odierno says he can't estimate the number that will be needed to "train, advise and enable Iraqi security forces." Alissa Rubin is Baghdad Bureau Chief for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Alissa Johannsen Rubin: Baghdad Bureau Chief, New York Times
Main Topic
Gay Rights and the Obama Administration ()
In 1969, even civil rights activists were barely aware of the so-called Stonewall Rebellion that began the movement for equal treatment of gays and lesbians in the US. Yesterday, Barack Obama commemorated that event in the White House with 250 gay and lesbian movement leaders who supported him in his presidential campaign but now are critical over his lack of action since becoming President. As a candidate, Obama had promised action to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and to get Congress to take another look at the Defense of Marriage Act. We hear how expectations have clashed with harsh reality and political expediency. Would emphasis on gay rights get in the way of the President's broader agenda? Would Republicans use the issue next year against Democrats in swing districts?
Guests:
- Tobias Wolff: Campaign Advisor on Gay Rights, Obama's presidential campaign
- Richard Socarides: Senior Adviser on Gay Rights, then-President Bill Clinton
- Rich Galen: Communications Strategist, then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich
- Richard Tafel: Founder, Log Cabin Republicans
Links:
- Trial of Lieutenant Dan Choi, 'TtP' on
- Tafel's 'Party Crasher: A Gay Republican Challenges Politics as Usual'
- Prop 8, Gay Marriage and the California Supreme Court, 'WWLA' on
- Socarides' (Washington Post) Op Ed on Obama, gay rights
- Kevin Jennings, GLSN
- Smithsonian Institutions' (Frank) Kameny Papers Project
- Frank Rich's (New York Times op-ed) on Stonewall, gay right movement
Reporter's Notebook
How Should the US Respond to the Honduran Coup? ()
On Sunday, Manuel Zelaya was snatched from his home by soldiers and taken to Costa Rica. A political rival has been sworn in, but the Honduran President insists he's still in charge. The courts, Congress and even leaders of his own party support the coup, but a coalition of Latin American countries has called for an "insurrection" to return him to office. President Obama is in rare agreement with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon insists he be reinstated, and the Secretary General of the Organization of American States says he'll accompany Zelaya to Honduras on Thursday. Tim Padgett is Latin America Bureau Chief for Time magazine.
Guests:
- Tim Padgett: Miami and Latin America Bureau Chief, Time magazine
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