News and Events => Political and Legal News => Topic started by: Shana A on December 19, 2008, 03:13:11 PM Return to Full Version
Title: No gays named to Obama’s Cabinet
Post by: Shana A on December 19, 2008, 03:13:11 PM
Post by: Shana A on December 19, 2008, 03:13:11 PM
No gays named to Obama's Cabinet
Victory Fund leader calls week's events 'disappointing'
By CHRIS JOHNSON, Washington Blade | Dec 18, 3:28 PM
http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=23082 (http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=23082)
Chuck Wolfe, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, criticized President-elect Barack Obama today for failing to name an openly gay member to his Cabinet.
"As we talk about either keeping or renewing America's promise, which the president-elect has been talking about, apparently it does not yet extend to gay and lesbian people in the Cabinet of the president," Wolfe said.
Gay activists lobbied Obama to select Mary Beth Maxwell, a lesbian and founding executive director for American Rights at Work, to become the next labor secretary. But NBC News reported today that Obama had picked Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) for the position.
Victory Fund leader calls week's events 'disappointing'
By CHRIS JOHNSON, Washington Blade | Dec 18, 3:28 PM
http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=23082 (http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=23082)
Chuck Wolfe, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, criticized President-elect Barack Obama today for failing to name an openly gay member to his Cabinet.
"As we talk about either keeping or renewing America's promise, which the president-elect has been talking about, apparently it does not yet extend to gay and lesbian people in the Cabinet of the president," Wolfe said.
Gay activists lobbied Obama to select Mary Beth Maxwell, a lesbian and founding executive director for American Rights at Work, to become the next labor secretary. But NBC News reported today that Obama had picked Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) for the position.
Title: Re: No gays named to Obama’s Cabinet
Post by: Kaelin on December 19, 2008, 06:01:20 PM
Post by: Kaelin on December 19, 2008, 06:01:20 PM
There are only 15 cabinet positions, and the percentage of the population that identifies as "homosexual" or "bisexual" is roughly just 4% (never mind openly). Even the 4% number would get you a self-identified "homosexual" or "bisexual" in your cabinet only 46% of the time.
This group is overreaching on this one. But then, VF's mission is to get GLBs into these sorts of positions.
This group is overreaching on this one. But then, VF's mission is to get GLBs into these sorts of positions.
Title: Re: No gays named to Obama’s Cabinet
Post by: Kaweah on December 19, 2008, 08:45:32 PM
Post by: Kaweah on December 19, 2008, 08:45:32 PM
I can see where having a gay or lesbian as a Cabinet secretary would send a powerful signal to our nation. And let's face it, such a pick is not going to happen with a Republican president. So I think I understand where the Victory Fund is coming from. But I think Obama is too cautious for such a bold step. I'm more concerned with seeing policies favorable to our community.
Title: Re: No gays named to Obama’s Cabinet
Post by: lizbeth on December 19, 2008, 08:58:18 PM
Post by: lizbeth on December 19, 2008, 08:58:18 PM
well, that's not really true. I mean hillary (if confirmed) will be the first lesbian secretary of state. right?
I keed, I keed.
I keed, I keed.
Title: Re: No gays named to Obama’s Cabinet
Post by: tekla on December 20, 2008, 10:35:27 AM
Post by: tekla on December 20, 2008, 10:35:27 AM
There have been, at least one, gay female named as an undersecratary.