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Proclamation Acknowledges 2 Dads- Yet Exacerbates Discrimination
6-19-2010 Melanie Nathan
HAPPY FATHERS DAY DADS -
President Barack Obama’s second Father’s Day proclamation, bears resemblance to his second (2010) Mother’s Day Proclamation where he openly acknowledges gay parents, noting that some kids have two parents.
Although grateful for the recognition, I would be remiss not to point out that Proclamations such
as this serve ONLY to exacerbate the discrimination against and marginalization of LGBT parents, families and people, and the relegation to second class citizens.
This excerpt from the Father’s Day Proclamation is noted with delight and appreciation:
“Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a stepfather, a grandfather, or caring guardian. We owe a special debt of gratitude for those parents serving in the United States Armed Forces and their families, whose sacrifices protect the lives and liberties of all American children. For the character they build, the doors they open, and the love they provide over our life times, all our fathers deserve our unending appreciation and admiration.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C.109), do hereby proclaim June 20, 2010, as Father’s Day… IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. Signed – President BARACK OBAMA”
Indeed historic in its validation of our LGBT same-sex families, t has yet another unexpected impact. If the President can make such assertion by Proclamation, its effect and impact is tantamount to acknowledging the discrimination that gay and lesbian couples still suffer under the federal Law.
While grateful for this momentous acknowledgment and the courage it took to proclaim, I must assert that it flies in the face of DOMA, the Defense of marriage Act – which in essence serves to exile some of our same-sex Dads on this father’s day from their home country USA, simply because these fathers (and of course moms too) are precluded by law from sponsoring their foreign born partners for immigration to the USA. In many instances these exiles are Dads with American born children who cannot live in their country of birth.
President Obama must pursue the repeal of DOMA as an absolute priority and even so UAFA; the Uniting American families Act, also a priority above Immigration Reform, ahead of ENDA. The President has it in his power to insist that Speaker Pelosi bring at least UAFA legislation to a Vote before the election in November.
Mr. President – The bi-national couples, despite poor leadership and wild goose chases, want UAFA as a stand alone Bill- we are not willing to wait for Immigration reform, the latter still unavailable in Bill form. Frameworks do not cut it for us as we wait in fear, detention, exile, suicidal, desperate, lonely!
With thanks for this dynamic Proclamation – please show us that your assertion of our de facto existence and validity – is step one of the very soon to be de jure acknowledgment through legislation that will eradicate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Proclamations such as this as meaningless and serve ONLY to exacerbate the discrimination and marginalization and second class citizenship that seems to foster our citizenry! HELP!
By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.con
@oblogdeeoblogda
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8 Responses to Proclamation Acknowledges 2 Dads- Yet Exacerbates Discrimination
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pat
June 19, 2010 at 1:42 pm
.This country has not achieved the full potential of being great until all citizens are accepted and granted the right to all benefits extended to the rest of society. LGBT communities contribute to society like everybody else does. LGBT communities are discriminated aganist because socieity holds onto old standards. There is no person walking on this earth that has the right to judge another’s chose in marriage. All of us will face our judgement day when we die. Those that hide behind the Bible as condeming another’s lifestyle is passing judgement that has not been given to them. They are interpreting the Bible with their prejudices and narrow views. I grew up in a family with a father brought up as Catholic and a mother as Methodist. My parents taught us to respect everybody and not to pass judgement. Our family has many friends from the LGBT and we welcome them with open arms. As a lawyer, I have always represented those that are discriminated aganist. When society and governments at all levels recoginze LGBT as members granting them workplace benefits, the right to marry, and the right to adopt children this country will then be Great.
Melanie Nathan
June 19, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Thanks Pat, well said. It seems like such a simple notion – one that if accepted truly cannot hurt anyone…. and so what if others believe I will land up in Hell – if that be the case, then why are they trying to make my life HELL before I even get to hell. heheehe i am sure you get my point! hanks for commenting on site you are always welcome here. mel
Melanie Nathan
June 19, 2010 at 11:43 am
PS – My brain sees every act or omission as an opportunity to improve the State of equality JOIN ME dont fight me. My intentions are absolutely honorable with one goal in sight.
Matt Comer
June 19, 2010 at 8:51 am
I won’t say much to the “anti-Obama rhetoric” — I think lots of folks are upset about the president and many of his as-of-yet fulfilled promises. But, seriously, what did people expect? There was all this joking and jabbing from conservatives that Obama supporters thought he was “the Messiah,” that Obama could change everything. Guess what: This is the real world, Obama is a politician and we’re talking about American politics. When has change ever quickly happened here?
But… to Melanie’s thoughts: I’m confused as to how this statement and recognition of LGBT families, in and of itself, serves to “exacerbate the discrimination and marginalization and second class citizenship” of LGBT people. These proclamations have nothing to do with law. Think of it as a hundreds-year-old form of blogging: it’s just the president’s opinion. That’s it. Nothing more.
Melanie Nathan
June 19, 2010 at 11:31 am
Matt et al, allow me to explain. Firstly I adore president Obama, I voted for him and fought for his election – when he was elected I was ecstatic. I still adore him. I would love to have a cup of coffee and talk face to face so that I can understand him in the context of is presidency. I think he inherited the biggest mess any president ever inherited and he has done a fantastic job of moving us toward getting rid of the BUSH VIRUS.
As a lesbian I did expect more from him. I expected him: Here is my order of expectations:
1.Remedies for financial mess THEN – Impeach Cheney/Bush/Investigate the truth around the
‘IRAQ war and expose it – not for retribution – he could have pardoned them – I could care less what fate befalls Bush and the gang – but what I do care about is the exposure – so it never happens again and by example this country would then have the opportunity to re-evaluate right from wrong. Bush bred a culture of lies and contamination and we will always feel the effect until the citizens say NOT OKAY
2. Expectation No. 2 Health Care .
3. Expectation no 3. RID this country of ALL discriminatory LAW – Gay or otherwise – reinstate civil rights to its tru and fullest potential and that happens to mean getting rid of DOMA, DADT, implementing ENDA and UAFA. Anything short of that is pandering to right wing religious zealots because there is no other reason not to do it.
4. Immigration reform and border security.
Thats what I hoped for…. The fact that barely any occured has not diminished my respect or adoration for OBAMA. I am giving him a chance in my mind and heart until the very last day of his last term.
That said onto the subject at HAND
I am a legal scholar with a good few law degrees behind my name. I know that a Proclamation is NOT LAW.
A proclamation is exactly what it says – its a statement. It makes a point and given by a President its a very important POINT. It is nor meaningless even though it does not confer any action per se. The President in this proclamation has acknowledged that 2 DADs as a family is an acceptable concept.
My point about exacerbating the discrimination is very dimple – if a PRESIDENT has the fortitude to make such a statement, how can he in good conscience continue to sit back and watch the discrimination that is perpetrated against the 2DADS when compared to other types of families also described in the same proclamation.
It is tantamount to saying this family is acknowledged too but its okay for them to NOT participate in certain laws that the other acknowledged families get to participate it.
Obama has thus far dealt crumbs to the LGBT community. Anything short of full equality is a ere crumb! But this proclamation is worse. Because in essence it says YES of course gay is okay BUT you cannot partake at our table – and while coming to the dinner you must please be sure to sit at the back of the bus, we will serve the mom dad families before we serve the dad da and mom mom families.
I love OBAMA still but this is another notch on my disappointment ring.
SistersTalk Radio
June 19, 2010 at 2:57 am
How about we stop distracting people with all this anti-Obama rhetoric and start encouraging our community to get back to fighting our real enemies? This anti-Obama crap is getting really, really old – especially since we know it’s coming from people who are still jaded that Hillary didn’t win.
While people like Melanie are keeping the LGBT community distracted with anti-Obama rhetoric, the religious right is creepin’ up from behind and putting more and more knives in our backs.
Bridgette P. LaVictoire
June 19, 2010 at 9:05 am
I am sorry to say that I refuse to be silent about criticizing President Obama. Simply put, I am not one of those people who believes that it is necessary or even wise to simply follow behind some leader because they are nominally on our side. If they are unwilling to work for us, then we should be critical. The only way that it becomes a problem is if I focus upon holding our allies accountable while, ignoring the dangers of our enemies. Take a look at how many posts here on this site have been critical of Obama and the Democrats compared to the number of posts which have been critical of the Republicans and the Religious Right. Then take a look at the tone of voice used. While I am sympathetic but firm towards Obama and the Dems, I can be down right vicious when it comes to our enemies. The only way to lose is if we ignore the lackadaisical responses from our leadership and our allies and focus only on our enemies.
I supported Hilary Clinton in the primary. I am not jaded that she lost. That is democracy for you. I considered voting for McCain, but he chose someone I distrust more than I distrust him to be his VP. I voted for Obama. While I will make it abundantly clear that I voted for Clinton in the primaries, I also am blunt about knowing exactly the kind of President I was getting when I voted for Obama. I stand by my decision to vote for Obama. Of the three, I would have preferred Clinton, but I am not jaded that she lost. Only someone who is more invested in dictatorial forms of government than I am is jaded that she lost because that means that they are refusing to accept that this is how Democracy goes.
Melanie Nathan
June 19, 2010 at 11:41 am
Please I would greatly appreciate that criticism from someone who adores and still believes in Pres Obama is seen for what it is. When you use the word Rhetoric you take the importance out of constructive critique. ALL my posts citing Obama, have an underlying attention. That is to assist people to see things in a way that highlights what needs to change. The President himself has asked our community to make their voices heard. I have NEVER criticized without offering a solution in the same breathe. Please do not attempt to derogate from my mission I need your support.