What Obama said today may help save the lives of lots of gay kids

[ruggerson]

The President of the U.S. Is in their corner.

They suddenly can picture a future in the land of their birth that includes a spouse and children and a sense of belonging.

The preachers that they are dragged to on Sundays are suddenly exposed, stripped of their veneers, not the good guys, but charlatans, spewing hate and violence.

While the leader of the free world has their backs.

Gay kids can see the outlines, the beginnings of a life ahead.

A joyous and important one.

[liberalmuse]

1. He came out and said it.

He didn't skirt around the issue like he and so many others have done in the past. That is so powerful - more powerful than most people realize.

[ruggerson]

5. Agreed

This has far reaching ramifications.

[FarLeftFist]

2. K&R!

[one_voice]

3. Tweeted...

amaeryllis

I'm going to bet people saying President Obama's support "means nothing" never comforted a 15 yr old gay kid asking why everyone hates him.

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/05/09/481477/twitter-reax-marriage-equality/

http://twitter.com/#!/amaeryllis

[vaberella]

8. Well Obama being a Black President still has not made me stop thinking White America hates Blacks.

So...I don't think it has anything to do with that. I don't think Obama saying this will make any child or even adult think there are idiots who don't hate him. Keep in mind a kid an LGBT kid in Georgia might not be coming out to his or her parents because of this or even his community. However, it gives him the opportunity of knowing that even the highest office sees him as a relavant, focal and part of the citizenry of America. They are not rejects; so making them feel that way won't work as well. Not to mention it also gives them the chance to believe...Once I get out of my hell on earth here...I can live in at least one or two parts of America free and maybe come home and be who I am. Will the hate stop? Probably not. Will I still think people are afraid or hate me for who I am? It won't. But it gives me hope...even a bit for a future where people will stop. It might take a long ass time...shit Blacks still got it bad. Imagine being Black and gay or transgender in the South...damn. But it's definitely a step in the right direction.

[RainDog]

4. k&r n/t

[Pirate Smile]

6. I think I told you (a long time ago) that I really thought he was going to come out for it before

reelection (back during the fights over whether he was going to get DADT repealed).

I'm glad he proved me right.

I hope you are right about it helping gay kids. I think you are.

[vaberella]

7. I agree with you 100% Ruggerson. I'm crying right now.

Just by saying the words publicly, it's not the end-far from it, but gives a true sense of hope for so many within the LGBT community and their family and friends, and those supportive. I have to call Gio and Jerry to see how they feel about it--I'm still pressuring them to get married. So lazy.

[SunSeeker]

9. K&R

[dballance]

10. As a gay man who grew up in the late 70's and early 80's

I am very happy Obama said he thinks same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. Dial back about 40 to 50 years to the Civil Rights act of 1964 or the later decision in 1968 Loving v. Virginia and you will see the courage it took for him to come out on the side of same sex couples.

Just replace African American with LGBT and we are right back in a hole where the people of every state are individually deciding the rights of people who they disagree with. Yep, we are putting up for a vote in so many states the rights of a minority with whom so many people disagree. Well gees, how surprised are we people still want to discriminate against other people who are different from them?

Same sex marriage does not endanger heterosexual marriage. Divorce and adultery endanger heterosexual marriage. Let's propose some laws forbidding divorce and punishing adultery with some stiff jail-time penalties. Lets see how well those are received.

[calimary]

12. Good post! I'm so proud of my President today!

Those perfectionists who sneer that he didn't keep his promises, that he doesn't stand for much, that he's too cautious, that he doesn't have the backbone to take a stand -

ALL proven WRONG today. It took backbone and balls the size of the Empire State Building to stick his neck out like this, in this ridiculously toxic climate, and during election season when the risk factor is turned up PAST eleven.

It took courage like nobody's business. And I'm very proud of him. He IS on the side of history. And those who oppose him on this (as well as on other issues) will be taking their places in history's dustbin. Where they belong!!!!!

[ruggerson]

14. What's interesting

is that the region with highest divorce rate is the bible belt.

[libodem]

11. Hope

It gives hope a chance. I empathize with adolescents. Life is fucking harsh to begin with let alone the struggle with feeling left out of the norm. Lots of us never felt 'normal'.

[jwirr]

13. I hope so. But it could be rough for a while because the rw have ramped up the bs.

[myrna minx]

15. *Sob* It *does* get better.

[Scurrilous]

16. K & R