Obama holds gay pride reception

[Chad]

Obama holds gay pride reception, vows to overturn 'unjust laws'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama honored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month with a White House reception Monday where he likened the struggle for gay rights with the struggle of African-Americans for civil rights.

With first lady Michelle Obama at his side, the president told the cheering crowd filling the East Room that his administration would work to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gays in the military.

"I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that," Obama said. "It's not for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago."

The "don't ask, don't tell" policy bars military officials from asking about a service member's sexual orientation but also bars the service member from revealing it, and allows the dismissal of a service member if a same-sex orientation is discovered.

"I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security," Obama said to applause. Ending the policy requires an act of Congress and will take time, he added.

The Defense of Marriage Act effectively bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions, even as individual states legalize them. It is one of the most divisive political issues in America,
strongly backed by conservatives -- particularly the religious right.

"We have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides," Obama said. "And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law."
<!--startclickprintexclude-->
<!--endclickprintexclude--> He also is pushing for passage of a law guaranteeing full benefits including health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and their children, as well as bills to strengthen laws against hate crimes and prevent employment discrimination based on sexuality, Obama said.

"There are unjust laws to overturn and unfair practices to stop," he said. "And though we've made progress, there are still fellow citizens -- perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones -- who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes, who fail to see your families like their families and who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted. And I know this is painful, and I know it can be heartbreaking."

Obama cited the roots of the gay rights struggle in the Stonewall riot 40 years ago, when police raided a New York nightclub and sparked a demonstration that lasted for days.

"As we've seen so many times in history, once that spirit takes hold, there's little that can stand in its way," he said to cheers that turned to laughs when he added: "The truth is, when these folks protested at Stonewall 40 years ago, no one could have imagined that you or, for that matter, I would be standing here today."

************

1 Corinthians 6:8-10 (English Standard Version)

<sup id="en-ESV-28459" class="versenum" value="8">8</sup>But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!
<sup id="en-ESV-28460" class="versenum" value="9">9</sup>Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, <sup id="en-ESV-28461" class="versenum" value="10">10</sup>nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.


1 Timothy 1:8-11 (English Standard Version)

<sup id="en-ESV-29688" class="versenum" value="8">8</sup>Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, <sup id="en-ESV-29689" class="versenum" value="9">9</sup>understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, <sup id="en-ESV-29690" class="versenum" value="10">10</sup>the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, <sup id="en-ESV-29691" class="versenum" value="11">11</sup>in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.


1 John 2:18-19 (English Standard Version)

Warning Concerning Antichrists

<sup id="en-ESV-30552" class="versenum" value="18">18</sup>Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. <sup id="en-ESV-30553" class="versenum" value="19">19</sup> They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

 

[Boanerges]

Very sad. Taking pride in sin is not wisdom and is the farthest thing from a repentant heart.


Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

 

[Trisha]

Homosexuality is a sin, but I do believe in healthcare for everyone and justice for hate crimes. As a Canadian I see that healthcare for everyone is the compassionate thing to do. I do believe strongly in this since I work somewhat in the healthcare field. When you need care it should not be a matter of how much money you have in deciding to see a doctor, have tests, or be hospitalized.

However, I do not think that the military should sign up homosexuals or keep them in their ranks should their choice of lifestyle be made known. Heterosexuals would have a big problem living in such close quarters among homosexuals.

Homosexuality is not a normal, healthy or godly thing. It is very sad that people are caught in this sin and it is not accepted no matter how many gay pride parades. There is no pride in homosexuality. I have talked to homosexual practicing males and they are very pleasant and it is sad to think that they will not get to heaven. They need to be delivered instead of being told that they are born a homosexual. I feel for them because of this deception and thank God that I am not attracted to the same sex. I know how hard it is to live that way by what I have heard. There is such hatred toward homosexuals, people who hate the sinner. Instead they should be pitied that they are caught up in sin and told it is alright.

 

[Boanerges]

Despite what one might see in the news there is health care available for every man woman and child in the US if they choose to avail themselves.
I myself have received treatment at 2 different charity hospitals in time of need. Fees in these are in direct proportion to the recipients income and no one is refused.

 

[Lion_of_Judah]

"It's not for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago."

"I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security," Obama said to applause. Ending the policy requires an act of Congress and will take time, he added.

"We have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides," Obama said. "And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law."

<!--startclickprintexclude-->
..there are still fellow citizens -- perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones -- who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes, who fail to see your families like their families and who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted.

So I'm confused here..

We don't want to " exacerbate old divides", ..but there are "fellow citizens.. who
..still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes.."

I hate this kind of rhetoric.

"I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security," Obama said

WHO DOESN'T ?? Again.. just needless garbledy goop to confound the non-thinking..! He's convoluting the issue.

And finally, and the most distinct bag of garbage:

.."any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans"..


PALEEEASE...


One can keep their mouth shut as to their orientation..

You don't need to open your mouth to disclose your color..!

 

[SaulC76]

Gay Rights and Civil Rights?

Obama can liken gay rights to civil rights all he wants, but I believe he knows that he's simply pandering to a portion of the people that voted for him.

You are born white, black, red, etc. You can be born with six toes and mentally retarded. You can be born of rape. You can't choose your parents. You aren't born a murderer, a police officer or gay. All of the last three are choices.

Whereas I could affirm that for some people the temptation to be gay or engage in ********** fantasy is much more difficult for some than others, I could say the same about alcoloholism or even murder. I believe that man is basically evil, as taught in the Scripture, and that all men have a "pet sin" that they wrestle with day to day. But it is that wrestling that makes us stronger and more reliant on Jesus as our source of strength and hope.

The interesting thing about "gay rights", is that a gay person has every civil and human right that a heterosexual one does - except the right to marry and in some states, have children. But since these people have chosen to be **********, they've given up what heterosexuality offers. When you choose to murder someone and are caught, you've given up many of your former rights - perhaps even your right to live. If you choose to be a police officer, you've chosen to put your life in harm's way.

Years ago, black people were commonly enslaved - not just on US soil as seems to be the conception - but nearly everywhere on the globe. Africans were easily subdued by marauding countries who ruthlessly put them to labor. The slave trade, contrary to popular opinion, has been around since the dawn of time and is STILL around.

As time went by, especially in the more civilized countries, slaves weren't always treated as second-class citizens, but were treated with dignity and were honored servants. Many were released as freemen and had free families.

In this country, the Emancipation Proclamation effectively ended slavery, but the law doesn't change people's minds. To everyone in that generation, a black person was still a slave or second-class. Even 100 years later when they won their civil rights, many still clung to old ideas.

Today, 150 years after the Emacipation, the NAACP and organizations like it still bewail history - though none of them experienced it. Today, a large number of black people are angry at their fellow white people... who never caused history. Public school's Black Pride subjects and bent US history make it look like America was the worst offender in the ancient slave trade... even though we are one of the only nations in the history of the world to free slaves (and the earliest one to in contemporary history.)

When comparing what black people have gone through both in this country and several others over the years to "gay rights", it is a full slap in the face to history and the black people.

This whole "gay rights" battle is a thing of legitimization. Homosexuality is abnormal. ********** people, regardless of the rubber stamp they've recieved by Hollywood, still feel abnormal - as right they should. So, they feel, if the government rubber-stamps their abnormality they can feel just as legitimate as everyone else.

But while they may have convinced Obama, they haven't convinced God. Romans 1:32: "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

 

[Lion_of_Judah]

Nice post SaulC76


bd (2thumbsup)


LoJ

 

[Cobus]

That is what we should teach our children... cotrary to what a gay teacher or preacher would teach them. God says clearly, just to agree with their sin is dooming enough!Teach them to be gay is wrong, and to approve of some person being gay is just as wrong. God also says in Romans 1 : 24 and 25...
24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: <SUP>25</SUP>Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

There is no big or small sin, we should repent from ALL SIN! and we can.... because Jesus did this....
8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.