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29 Feb 2008 03:48 pm

Urgent And Clear

Gay voters really need to reject the politics of Clintonism and see the opportunity in front of us. My take on gays and Obama here. These breakthrough moments do not come often in the history of civil rights movements. Gay Democrats, Independents and Republicans in Ohio and Texas need to get out and vote for Obama next Tuesday. This opportunity to defeat the politics of fear, cronyism and deception may not come again. A reader writes:

Previous candidates (Democratic, natch; Republicans are still in thrall to the so-called religious right elements that dominate their party processes) have shied away from open support of the GLBT community for fear of offending folks in the primary or general election. They fear that any support they offer will be used against them. This is not so with Obama. Why?

Does he recognize that his base considers this a non-issue? Is it generational? And why hasn't the loony right attacked him on this point?

Are they too busy re-orienting themselves to a race without Hillary? I fully expect them to hit him on this issue later, once he's the nominee (I can't wait for next Tuesday!), but he seems unconcerned and non-anxious about his views on this issue. Is this further evidence of a coming post-gay reality? Is the Republican right not screaming "Obama loves fags!" because they sense they can't for some reason? How does this guy seem to be able to transcend so much of the divisive identity-politics bullshit we've had to endure for the last few decades?

Readers know that my admiration for Obama is not rooted in gay issues. But as this campaign has progressed, my belief that this candidate is a game-changer for us has deepened. It is unimaginable to me why a gay voter would turn against easily the most honest, candid and courageous straight national politician on gay rights in recent history. To vote for Clinton at this moment is to fail, in my judgment, to understand the unique opportunity we have. Those of us who have long struggled as Christians and as gay people have a particular reason to embrace a man whose evocation of the Gospels on our behalf has not been replicated anywhere else in American politics. If we do not reciprocate with our support the courage of this man on this subject, we will ultimately be betraying ourselves.

We are the ones we've been waiting for. But he can help.

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