Take A Letter, Mary

I found this over on Towleroad:

You know, with the failure of the 'No on 8' campaign in California last fall, all the fingers came out. And not just the middle finger the gay community held up to show their outrage. Fingers were pointed at the Mormon church, the Catholic church, the Black community and the Hispanic community, religious wing-nuts and fear-mongers, Repugnants and their conservative base.

But what about the gay community?

Where is our responsibility in this fiasco?

Where was our outrage over the commercials about how we were going to "teach" homosexuality in schools?

Where was our disgust over the ridiculous notion that churches could be sued and pastors-ministers-rabbis-priests jailed because they refused to perform a same-sex wedding?

We can't point the finger at them without taking a good look at ourselves first.

Which brings me to this: Barack Obama wrote a letter to the Alice B. Toklas club. A letter where he talks about equality for gay Americans, for every LGBT person in America.

The 'No on 8' people never released the letter. Never.

So, instead of pointing at 'them' let's take a good long look at ourselves.

Oh yeah, here's the letter.

__________________________________________________

Dear Friends,
Thank you for the opportunity to welcome everyone to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club's Pridc Breakfast and to congratulate you on continuing a legacy of success, stretching back thirty-six years. As one of the oldest and most influential LGBT organizations in the country, you have continually rallied to support Democratic candidates and causes, and have fought tirelessly to secure equal rights and opportunities for LGBT Americans in California and throughout the country.
As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same sex couples under both state and federal law. That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.
For too long. issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. This is no less than a core issue about who we are as Democrats and as Americans.
Finally, I want to congratulate all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks. My thanks again to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club for allowing me to be a part of today's celebration. I look forward to working with you in the coming months and years, and I wish you all continued success.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama