I submitted the following to the White House website and Pam's House Blend. I am not so naive as to expect any sort of response, but I had to say something!
Dear Mr. President
The loss of civil marriage in Maine is yet one more example of how vindictiveness and hatred are winning against the efforts to fight oppression.
For me to decry the loss is not the issue at hand. I'm sure that others more well versed than I will disect the issue. Though I'm sure, that had the Maine marriage equality resolution been upheld, the forces of hatred would still say it was a victory for them because the margins were so close.
I wish to address a much larger issue. And one that is very personal to me. The very first time I heard you speak, you electrified me. You ignited in me a sense of hopefullness that I had never felt about politics in all my years. For the first time I felt a call to action, and campaigned vigorously for you in my home town. I knew that it would be different. I campaigned for you because of your goals and ideals, not your race, not your sexual orientation, not your gender, not your family background.
As a member of the LGBT community, I felt a hopefullness from you for social acceptance and social change that other candidates did not seem to exhibit. Your stance on marriage equality was honest and forthright and your stance on the subject of being afforded the same benefits as other married couple as your main goal was one that I could accept and work for.
But since your inaguration, your visible actions and the actions of the Democratic National Committee, which you head, have been woefully absent. Your claim of being able to use the Bully Pulpit for issues of national importance has been virtually non-existant on our behalf. You have made statements of rhetoric indicating your goal of repealing such oppressive, discriminating laws such as DADT, DOMA and support for ENDA. But what have your DONE? I do thank you for your signature into law of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, but by what effort on your part did you partake to ensure that this bill would pass through congress? Indeed, it had to be an ammendmant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to ensure it's passage. I heard no statement from you or your office stating your official support other than stating that if it came to your desk you would sign it. Neither did I hear any rumors of back room negotiations to persuade members of congress for it's passage.
As you are aware, you could, through your powers as Chief Executive, order a suspension of the enforcement of Don't Ask, Don't Tell for a period of time until a review of it's effectiveness has been shown or it is repealed. But you have not. And still, every single day we lose valuable military personnel not because they aren't patriotic enough, not becuase they are in any other way inferior, but because they are gay.
Is it correct that a minority must secure a majority of votes to repeal discrimintory laws? Or should these laws be overturned simply because it is the right thing to do?
What if the law legalizing inter-racial marriage in California in 1948 had been put up for a popular vote? What would happen if a new law banning inter-racial marriage was introduced today? What if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had been left to a national refferendum? Certainly these are minority issues, and perhaps should have been accepted by the majority of voters before given complete acceptance. Of course this is rediculous. But such is the state of LGBT rights today. In order for me to marry my partner, and enjoy all the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as other married couples, must I secure the permission from a majority of over three hundred million Americans?
I certainly do understand that your administration has been plagued by so many other issues, many of them as a direct result of the mismangement from the prevous administration. However, while you claim to be a president that can "multi-task", you and your administration don't seem to have time for our community. You leave us to struggle while you remain supportive, yet silent.
While you claim to be one who builds bridges, the bridge between our community and your administration is still under construction.
I implore you to take a more active role on the literally life and death issues facing the LGBT community today, lest the forces of oppression succeed in silencing our voices.
As I have mentioned, I campaigned for you during your election, unfortunately, I have to say that you have lost one campaign worker for your next election. And, if your conspicuous absence on behalf of the LGBT community continues, one vote as well.
Respectfully,
Sandra (real name in letter)
