BTL Editorial: We need to elect Obama

Unlike four long years ago, the Michigan LGBT vote is being strongly courted outloud and proud by the National Democratic party this year with the leadership of Barack Obama. Back in 2004, when we were under siege in this state by right-wing political activists and the Catholic Church, the presidential candidate, John Kerry, and other national democrats were absolutely silent on the statewide constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
We all know the disastrous consequences of that state amendment. The political, social and spiritual well being of every LGBT citizen in our state has been under assault ever since. Our families are under attack and public institutions have to disguise how they help same-sex partners achieve health insurance for their life partners and children. And don't even get us started on how this does not help the economic picture of our state.
As we battle back from this extremist assault on our very existence, the stakes in this election could not be higher. All of us in the 11 battleground states of 2004 know the effects of letting our opponents win wars that restrict our rights. We cannot afford to risk anything less than electing and swearing into office President Obama on Jan. 20, 2009.
The stark contrast between candidates is easy to see with a look at LGBT-issue Web site http://www.pride.barackobama.com versus Sen. John McCain, who has no such site. Or, look at the National Democratic Platform and compare it with the National Republican Platform on LGBT issues.
And while the work of Log Cabin Republicans may be responsible, in part, for some of their party members moving to the center on our issues (New York Times/CBS poll reported 49 percent of Republican delegates were in support of either civil unions (43 percent) or marriage (6 percent)) – the anti-gay GOP platform is there in black and white for all to read. It backs the Federal Marriage Amendment and goes so far as to say, "homosexuality is incompatible with military service."
While the rhetoric is down considerably from Republican conventions of yester-year, the heart and soul of divisive, wedge politics are as solid as ever. McCain has been vocal in his support of the California, Arizonia and Florida anti-marriage amendments as we move into the general election. And he has officially flip-flopped on his Federal Marriage Amendment position – using code like "activist judges legislating" at the convention last week. The Palin pick underscores his move to the right – or his being held captive to the far right. By choosing Palin as his running mate, he puts an anti-gay, anti-choice – and by some blog and press accounts – racist candidate in the position to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. It is near impossible for us to fully understand how Log Cabin Republicans could have endorsed his candidacy with what is at stake for our community and the country at large.
Long before Obama was on the national scene, he was a strong ally of the LGBT community in his home state of Illinois. In the U.S. Senate, he has also been an ally. Obama has come out strongly against the Federal Marriage Amendment, supports inclusive Hate Crimes legislation and has said he wants to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act and the military's Dont't Ask Don't Tell policy.
In addition, he has come out against the state anti-marriage amendments that will be on the ballot this year.
BarackObama has asked for and will receive our support, endorsement and anything else we can help them with in the next 60 days. We urge all our readers to educate themselves, their family members and co-workers about the urgency of this election in our lives. Tell them how harmful the last four years have been for those of us living under this assault. Enough is enough. Pick up the phones, register people to vote (last day is Oct. 6), share your stories and please vote for Barack Obama on Nov. 4. because, "Yes we can!"