Words, Words, and More Words: Human Rights Campaign and Valerie Jarrett Provide Cover for White House MIA re: Gay Rights

(Building on what I just posted about the need for continued work with schools and churches, to combat bullying of gay youth): And we in the LGBT community have work to do, too, with our own organizations.  As Pam Spaulding and John Aravosis report today, last night the Human Rights Campaign and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett gave cover to the Obama administration for its shameful inaction re: LGBT rights, at a gala banquet at which Jarrett was the keynote speaker.

Here's Pam Spaulding's analysis, focusing on the implications of this administration's inaction re: LGBT rights for gay youths and their self-image:

Slow-walking a feeble DADT repeal, the disappearance of ENDA as a priority, the disheartening language and arguments to defend DOMA and DADT -- that doesn't look like an Obama White House and DOJ telling LGBT youth that they will grow up to be equal in the eyes of the law.

In fact, this President doesn't believe they are -- otherwise he wouldn't say to these young people that when they come of age they will not have the right to marry as their straight counterparts will.

These kids have eyes and ears, and, more importantly, the bullies those who tormented them (as well as their parents) do as well. To create lasting change, these kids need to see adults acting fully on their behalf to create a world where they are truly seen as equal.

And here's John Aravosis:

If you care so much about gay kids being bullied and committing suicide, then start being our fierce advocate. Stop defending DADT and DOMA in court. Stop the DADT discharges now. Start doing something, anything, on getting ENDA passed and DOMA repealed, like you promised . . . .

Words, words, words, Valerie. We've heard it before. And we're over it. Words mean nothing from this President. When you and your boss finally decide to actually support full equality, when you decide to actually become our fierce advocate on DADT, DOMA and ENDA, then get back to us.  Our kids are killing themselves.  And you've got more important things to worry about.  Come 2012, so will we.

And they're both right, of course.

Related articles

• As LGBT Rights Burn, HRC Gets Ready To Party (pinkbananaworld.com)
• How do you say 'no más' in gay? (americablog.com)
• LGBT Group Want Valerie Jarrett To Meet With DADT Vets (towleroad.com)
• How Will Valerie Jarrett Explain The Obama Administration's Gay Failures to HRC's Black Tie Crowd? (queerty.com)
• Servicemembers United: Valerie Jarrett Has Some Explaining to Do (pinkbananaworld.com)
• Jarrett's plan to appear at gay rights gala draws rebuke from 'Don't ask, don't tell' opponents (thehill.com)
• The White House Takes Aim at Gay Bloggers For Complaining Too Much (mediaite.com)