Obama Seeks Assessment on Gays in Military

Doing away with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been part of Obama's plan from the beginning, and now he's asking for a intensive Pentagon study on the implications for national security. Considering the number of troops drummed out who had highly-valued skills, we like to think the survey's going to blow DADT out of the water.

How Barack and Michelle Keep that Spark Going

Send the hearse. We have just officially died laughing.

Gay Episcopal Bishop to Speak at Obama Inauguration Week Kickoff

Apparently, he's gotten wind of the firestorm of upsetted-ness (to put it mildly) over his choice of anti-gay Rick Warren. So to balance things out a bit, Barack Obama's asked Right Reverend Gene Robinson, the first openly gay man to be ordained a bishop in the Episcopal Church, to give the invocation at the opening of the inaugural week's festivities.

Said Robinson, "I am humbled and overjoyed at this invitation, and it will be my great honor to be there representing the Episcopal Church, the people of New Hampshire, and all of us in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community."

Also participating will be the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. So yeah, we can bitch if we want to, but we're actually getting SOME representation for the first time ever at a Presidential shindig.

Will Obama End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?

Sixteen years after "Don't Ask" came into being, attitudes have changed -- even in the military world. Ending the careers of 12,500 or so people, many of whom were in essential jobs, hasn't made the military better, faster or stronger.

President-Elect Barack Obama promised to be the one to send DADT away for good.
"The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve," says he. "Discrimination should be prohibited."

Even his soon-to-be Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says DADT will vanish. (at 4:17 in the video).

The Choice is Ours Now

As much as we're so not thrilled to know that homophobic pastor Rick Warren will be speaking at Obama's Inauguration fest, Melissa Etheridge reminds us that we need to get over it. Inclusiveness means everybody, and tolerance goes both ways.

Obama May Pick Lesbian for Labor Secretary

Mary Beth Maxwell is a community organizer and labor leader with an adopted African American son. She's also a gay woman and may be named the next Secretary of Labor. She's getting good buzz from certain members of the AFL-CIO and other labor groups. However, this news has the religio-fundamentalist crowd in a state of horrified panic.

It's Official: Barack Obama Wins!

Yes we can, and yes we DID! Obama scored almost twice as many votes as the McFailin' campaign, and the United States has its first biracial (or African-American, if you prefer) president.

He's also (to the best of my knowledge) the only candidate to ever mention gay people in his acceptance speech.

McCain, Obama Avoid "Marriage Issue"

Although same-sex marriage may be a hot button for some voters, US Prez contenders are doing their best to avoid the issue this go 'round. With anti-marriage amendments potentially popping up in three states, this has been no easy task. Proponents of both sides are itching for a comment in their favor -- and soon!

Not registered to vote yet? Do it here. It's free! And yes, your vote counts.

Obama Holds LGBT Fundraiser

Link Although the media were barred from covering the event, those who attended say the candidate's got a darn good grip on LGBT issues. And they give him points for honesty about what will and won't fly just yet when it comes times to get laws passed.

Obama Reaches Out to LGBT Community

Link Although he's taken a few hits for some slightly anti-gay campaign decisions, Barack Obama wants us to know he's pro-equality. He even sat down and wrote us a nice letter about it.

Hillary vs Obama: Who's Winning The LGBT Voters

Link In the race for the White House, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are leading the pack among Democrats. Hillary, though, seems to have a slight edge when it comes to winning the votes among gays and lesbians.