April 23, 2012
'Obama' Takes the Gays Down the Rainbow Brick Road
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
President Obama recently tweeted (or maybe it was his assistant's assistant who did the social networking) a graphic of a rainbow road that points out all the LGBT "milestones" and "important events" he has "achieved" since he has been in office, the Atlantic Wire reported.
"What three years of progress for the LGBT community looks like," the Barack Obama account wrote. After the text was a link to the Obama-Biden website with the graphic.
The Wire speculates that the graphic was made in order to "smooth over" a controversial decision Obama made last week where he refused to issue an executive order that would prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against members of the LGBT community.
"While it is not our usual practice to discuss executive orders that may or may not be under consideration, we do not expect that an executive order on LGBT non-discrimination for federal contractors will be issued at this time. We support legislation that has been introduced and we will continue to work with congressional sponsors to build support for it," a senior administration official said.
A number of gay rights activists and organizations were furious about his decision.
"We are extremely disappointed with this decision and will continue to advocate for an executive order from the president. The unfortunate truth is that hard-working Americans can be fired simply for being gay or transgender," said the Human Rights Campaign's president Joe Solmonese.
The website points out that there is less activity on the chart once the 2012 calendar year starts and that some of the events the graphic lists are "rather innocuous or vague gestures," such as the confusing February 13 event: "Proposed a 2013 federal budget for an economy built to last including providing security for the LGBT community."
Although the time line points out some big accomplishments, like the repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell Act, it still does not say when, or if, Obama will support gay marriage.
You can check out the graphic here.
