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To the Editors:
Re: “Obama faces criticism on marriage, military” (news, May 15)
President Barack Obama has really proven to be a disappointment for the LGBT community, given his many recent missteps since being elected president last November.
Obama’s first big mistake was choosing anti-gay evangelical preacher Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, despite the outcry of opposition from the LGBT community. Obama failed the community again by failing to appoint a gay or lesbian cabinet secretary, despite widespread speculation that he would do so. President Obama has likewise failed to take the lead on any pro-gay legislation working its way through Congress, and now appears to be wavering on the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
With the retirement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter, President Obama once again has the chance to make things right with the LGBT community. He can do so by choosing a well-known pro-gay individual, who will stand by the community through thick and thin. There are a number of good possibilities, but I would recommend the appointment of Kathleen Sullivan, Pam Karlan, Carlos Moreno or Elena Kagan to fill the Supreme Court vacancy.
Sullivan and Karlan are both experienced Stanford law professors and out lesbians, who can be counted on to support pro-gay legislation. California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, though straight, is a passionate supporter of the gay and lesbian community, having most recently voted in favor of legalizing gay marriage in California.
Another option would involve choosing current Solicitor General Elena Kagan, another well-known advocate of LGBT issues, and a former dean of the Harvard Law School for the Supreme Court vacancy. In any event, President Obama appears to have lost a great deal of his clout with the LGBT community and should not risk any further erosion of that support by selecting a poor choice for Souter’s replacement.
TIMOTHY R. BELTON
Richmond, Va.
To the Editors:
Re: “Disappointed by insensitive cartoon mocking blindness” (letter to the editor by Eric Peterson, May 1)
In response to the letter by Eric Petersen, I am writing to apologize for my recent cartoon about New York Gov. David Paterson. In drawing the cartoon, I had worried that some readers might perceive it as a slam against the governor’s blindness, rather than, as I was intending, a comment on LGBT leaders’ lack of readiness when he brought marriage rights issues to the fore.
Please accept my explanation that while the cartoon took Gov. Paterson’s blindness as a given condition, I in no way wanted readers to think that the cartoon was attacking him for it. I appreciate Gov. Paterson’s extraordinary courage and leadership on this issue, and I hope the drive for marriage equality in New York proves successful.
I thank Mr. Petersen for his thoughtful response to the cartoon, and I sincerely apologize.
PAUL BERGE
Sturtevant, Wisc.
To the Editors:
Re: “Trump says Miss California can retain her crown” (news, May 8)
Miss California, Carrie Prejean, is no dumb blonde.
Though I completely disagree with Prejean, she made a very articulate point in her recent press conference. When talking again about the issue of marriage equality and her beliefs she made this statement:
“The president of the United States, the secretary of state and many Americans agree with me in this belief.”
And she’s right — President Barack Obama does not support same-sex marriage.
Now, whether you think that President Obama holds his belief for political reasons or otherwise, you have to admit it was an ace card to play for Prejean in order to shore up support for herself and her belief of marriage between one man and one woman. The president does believe marriage is between a man and a woman and you don’t see the levels of attack against Obama that you see with Prejean.
How do we strike back at this? With dialogue that is simple, factual and conveys our best points.
Emphasize that we are trying to support, protect and strengthen marriage. Speak of how studies show that married couples are healthier and live longer.
Speak about how there are many children who are in the foster care system that are growing up with no family and how same-sex couples would be happy to love, care and raise those children to be productive adult members of society.
Speak of your own stories. Speak of your own long-term relationships; your contributions and the contributions of many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks through history who have ...
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