Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama sat for a wide ranging interview with The Advocate in which he talks about repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, his commitment to GLBT civil rights, and speaking about gay issues to non-gay audiences.
The interview comes at an interesting time. Obama has been criticized by a few gay journalists and activists who complain that Obama had conducted one interview with the gay media during the campaign. Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News made a splash with a bitter editorial against Obama and a glowing interview with Hillary Clinton. Segal neglected to mention that he is a strong supporter of Clinton and has contributed $1,000 to her campaign.
Obama kicks off the interview by speaking to the criticism:
I guess my point would be that the fact that I'm raising issues accordant to the LGBT community in a general audience rather than just treating you like a special interest that is sort of off in its own little box - that, I think, is more indicative of my commitment. Because ultimately what that shows is that I'm not afraid to advocate on your behalf outside of church, so to speak. It's easy to preach to the choir; what I think is harder is to speak to a broader audience about why these issues are important to all Americans.
Read Obama's interview with The Advocate.
Check back for analysis of the interview by Bilerico contributors.
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3 Comments
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I found Barrack Obama's responses thoughtful, logical and the context of the comparison between the African American struggle of 1963 and the GLBT
struggle of today is right on target.
Regarding "Don't ask don't tell" my life partner spent 13 years in the air force flying jet interceptors and I have to agree strenuously with the attitude that our military is throwing away talent by systematically eliminating Gay and Lesbian members of service. My partner left the military, in part, because he could no longer stand to hide his emotions and feelings every day. Due to the furtive nature of the military gays he was able to obtain a completely gay ground crew. Alexander the Great could not have developed a more successful band of warrior lovers, but for the fact that my partner would have no sexual intimacy with anyone he had to protect, or who he would depend upon, to protect him.
It does trouble me that Obama treats his media coverage at broad retail, but I understand why. He does not want to be a "black" candidate either, but a seriously considered politician qualified perfectly for the highest office America can bestow.
Would it not be amazing if we somehow stumbled into "the promised land" where we become non age, sex, race, gender challenged? I feel honestly impressed that Mr. Obama under promises, for he may well over deliver.
Robert Ganshorn | April 11, 2008 2:37 AM
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Barack's Advocate interview was perfectly splendid.
He addressed a myriad of issue of interest to the LGBT community and took on the pathetic effort to smear him by the Clintonista editor of the Philadelphia Gay News, Mark Segal, head-on.
Barack is such a classy guy that he resisted the urge to mention that fact that Segal is a large ca$h donor to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Hopefully, the Advocate interview puts to rest any question that Barack Obama is our best choice for president.
Christopher | April 11, 2008 1:20 PM
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Obama doesn't come off as eloquent in this interview as he usually does. I blame it on The Advocate.
Serena Freewomyn | April 11, 2008 4:29 PM
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