04/01/2008
Barack Obama Addresses Gay Crowd at NYC Fundraiser
The Advocate spoke with Corey Johnson (pictured here â you may remember Johnson as the Massachusetts high school football player who received national attention when he came out to his team in 1999) about a fundraiser held last Thursday hosted by GLSEN founder and executive director Kevin Jennings and his partner, Jeff Davis, which raised $170,000 for the candidate:
"Johnson, who is 25, has supported Obama for about a year but prefaced his remarks by saying he has never been an 'Obama-phile.' He said the senator addressed some of the most contentious LGBT issues without prompting, such as same-sex marriage and the inclusion of transgender people in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. In fact, those were the two issues Sen. Obama singled out as being potential disappointments to the LGBT community right now, while he signaled that a hate-crimes bill could likely be passed and signed into law and that repeal of 'donât ask, donât tell' might be on the horizon. According to several sources, including Johnson and Lenore, Obama said he did not think it was âpolitically feasibleâ to secure marriage rights for same-sex couples in the country at this point. Sen. Obama acknowledged that the community wanted full marriage rights but said that he favored civil unions for now while leaving open the possibility that his position might evolve in the future. In terms of ENDA, Obama said he supported an ENDA that included transgender protections but that he didnât believe a fully inclusive bill had enough votes to pass the Senate at this time."
Johnson told Towleroad that Obama also addressed the incident last year in which it appeared he hesitated before offering an answer on whether or not he agreed with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace when Pace said he thought homosexuality was immoral.
Said Johnson: "Senator Obama was asked at the fundraiser if he would publicly state that he didn't find being gay immoral in front of a non-gay audience. The question was clearly alluding to the Peter Pace firestorm from last year and Obama said that there was a misunderstanding that took place. He gave a policy speech in the morning and was walking to his car when a reporter kept shouting the question about General Pace. He said he wasn't answering any questions at all that day about anything other than the policy speech. So he said 'I'm not answering that' and got into his car. It was spun as him not speaking out against Pace's remarks. He was genuinely upset that it was portrayed in such a way in the media and tried to have his campaign clear it up immediately by repudiating General Pace with a public statement."
As to whether or not he would publicly state that he didn't find homosexuality immoral in front of a non-gay audience, Johnson said Obama declared "he absolutely would, and he has in the past."
(photo: mathew bergman)
Posted 10:40 AM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Election 2008, New York, News, Peter Pace | Permalink
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ousslander
24play's comment to Johny Lane harkens back to some posts he put up like a month ago refering to Michele Obama as nappy headed etc.
Johny Lane in the past has shown himself to be racist.
24play had every right to talk about that fact because it destroys every and any comment that johnny lane ,proven racist, tries to make today.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 1, 2008 4:32:27 PM
z
perez hilton is your source?
When the NYt reports on it then I will give your point a 2nd thought. You might even have a very valid point, BUT
perez hilton ?
:-)
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 1, 2008 4:35:46 PM
Jimmyboyo, perezhilton.com is on towleroad's blogroll and Andy posts from his website from time to time.
Posted by: z | Apr 1, 2008 5:06:54 PM
Yes Z
But not on serious stuff.
For celeb gossip yeah.
Perez hilton swore and be damned that castro was dead. Castro did a vid interview where he had a newspaper with the date etc and perez Hilton still swears and be damned that castro is dead. Castro has been recorded even commenting about the perez hilton gossip about his death, yet perez still goes on.
:-)
I read perez hilton time to time for gossip, but news?????
This alone nixes it....
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/ickes_confirms_hes_been_pushin.php
Harold Ikes, Hillary's TOP advisor in an interview mentioned that he is using the Rev wright thing to try to persuade super d's. If there was ONE shred of validity on the Meeks thingy then they would be going all goo goo ga ga over it and shouting from the roof tops. They aren't. So I think even the Hillary campaign itself doesn't put much stock in it.
Like I said, when the NYT talks about it then you might be on to something. Till then....
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 1, 2008 5:15:50 PM
here you go Jimmyboyo ;-)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=E6Kz-_IaFyU
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/03/four_stumps_in_the_water_for_o.html
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/james_meeks_obamas_other_bigoted_spiritual_leader_with_a_special_appearance/
Posted by: z | Apr 1, 2008 5:18:39 PM
Yeah - he cites perezhilton when news of Amy Winehouse's latest skin condition or "Zaquisha's" latest boy-romp comes out...
But political news? Kinda clutching at straws there, aren't you?
Posted by: Dan | Apr 1, 2008 5:19:24 PM
Ok
z
I will take a look at those
:-)
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 1, 2008 5:25:52 PM
JIMMYBOYO: The article is actually from Gaywired.com. Perez Hilton linked to it. It was reported, no mentioned, on CNN ... those wussy "journalists" wouldn't dare touch it with a 10-foot pole.
CNN is rooted deep within the Obama campaign, much like the general MSM now is. The Phenomenon that is Obama is the product of our non-biased/objective media.
The MSM practically orgasmed in unison when a female Minnesota Sen. endorsed him yesterday, but barely made a squeek when world-acclaimed black literary legend and academic Maya Angelou endorsed Hillary (go read what Dr. Angelou wrote on HRC Campaign Blog -- the woman's words are pure gold.)
Obama's mouth has a written a wad-load of checks his promises and lies can't cash.
Posted by: Timothy | Apr 1, 2008 5:55:22 PM
The race is almost over, but some of you are still hitching your wagon to one horse exclusive of the others. Wake up people - Sugarhill is a good example of the attitude we need around here. Support the nominee.
For those of you who don't think like this, when Obama wins, then you can judge him by his actions...just like you have judged Hillary to be better for gay rights and marriage despite her "35 years of experience" in support of DADT, DOMA, etc. And, of course, all of the legislation she has publically supported and passed in favor of equality. Uh yeah, not much there.
I've still got my vote to cast, and it will be a proud gay one for Obama. I'm happy to support someone who can bring the country together.
Posted by: Bry | Apr 1, 2008 6:07:56 PM
He's lieing about his position on homosexuality.He is homophobic and can't help it.It is ingrained in him.He will do nothing for the gay community and then he will blame Congress and everybody else.He reminds me of the Arpege commercial:Promise her anything but give her "the shaft".That is what we will get from Barack Hussein Obama if he get elected.Wake up people,see him for what he is, a politician that will promise you the world and then forgets about everything he promised.Remember that blacks believe that civil rights are their province and nobody else (latins,gays,etc...) have a right to have them.Open your eyes, I don't want to have to tell you "I told you so", but I will.
Posted by: Oscar | Apr 1, 2008 7:28:57 PM
Whenever I make the mistake of reading thru the comments under an Obama or Hillary post, I feel like I need a long, hot shower to wash away the ignorance and hatred on both sides. I'm not singling people out, but there's a difference between reasoned debate about the merits of the candidates and pointless venom.
Posted by: Ernie | Apr 1, 2008 8:09:38 PM
Neither Clinton or Obama are evil people. I'm sorry that only one person is going to win the nomination. But if people like you continue this nasty, nasty talk then we will all be losers.
Posted by: homer | Apr 1, 2008 8:38:24 PM
Same old, same old. When they need your vote, it's hugs and kisses. When the election's over, it's bye-bye homos. I like Clinton not because I want this or that from her, but that she will do her best for the country. Obama is just a product of mass delusion. The day he wins the election is the day his pastor damns America from the White House. God help us if that happens.
Posted by: ken | Apr 1, 2008 10:42:47 PM
Just vote for him, he'll legalize gay marriage - he just can't come out and say that and expect to win an election - sorry.
Posted by: Joe | Apr 1, 2008 11:26:23 PM
I can't remember a candidate for president who is about to win his party's nomination ever spending this much time courting the gay vote, or even reaching to the gay community. Not Kerry, not Gore, not Clinton(le homme), not Mrs Clinton. Obama's respect for the gay commnunity and it's political strength is admirable, and maybe USELESS.
JOHNNY LANE, OSCAR, and a few others: we Obama supporters don't want your votes. They are filthy. Just ask Pelosi, Reid & Dean. I wish Barack would tell you that, but he won't.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 2, 2008 9:34:34 AM
Why gays/lesbians/transexuals seem to only care about their sexuality when it comes to Presidential elections? Do they think about education, economy, healthcare, security, foreign policy etc.? That would be nice for a change!
Posted by: Alan Hoevs | Apr 2, 2008 1:33:45 PM
Obama in '08!
Obama is clearly our best bet for increased justice in the future. Any way you cut it.
Posted by: Hephaestion | Apr 5, 2008 9:32:46 PM