President Obama will sign a memorandum today to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. This according to The New York Times, which is also reporting that Obama will stop short of pledging full health insurance coverage. The reason? Broad coverage "could require legislation." Under mounting pressure from gay rights leaders and the community at large, this is a small gesture of goodwill, but according to Richard Socarides, a former Clinton administration adviser, "more important now is what he says tomorrow about the future for gay people during his presidency." Several states have legalized same-sex marriage in recent months, but the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" debate seems bogged down by the reluctance of both the U.S. Military and the president to take action. And a Department of Justice legal brief defending Clinton's shameful Defense of Marriage Act was a slap in the face to voters who elected Obama under the assumption that he would keep his promise to repeal both DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It's clear to me that Obama is playing a careful game of politics, and we certainly shouldn't begrudge his attempt to maintain his mainstream popularity, but the gay community deserves more than crumbs. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Yesterday, Barack Obama issued a proclamation acknowledging Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, something the previous president once refused to do. In Obama's statement, he once again committed to "achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans," acknowledged that the gay community "mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic," acknowledged himself for being "the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration" and for supporting the decriminalization of homosexuality around the world, and repeated his promises to expand hate crime legislation, ensuring adoption rights, ending the U.S. Military's inane "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and supporting civil unions (but not equal marriage). To date, the Obama administration has failed to follow through with any of those commitments, nor has the president succeeded at undoing George W. Bush's 11th hour ban on all international visitors to the United States who are HIV positive, but we can hope that his proclamation is one small step toward fulfilling his campaign promises to our community. We can all help make this happen by speaking out, writing letters, and otherwise being vocal about what we expect from our government and its leaders.

Read President Obama's entire proclamation here.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden have unveiled their plan to strengthen civil rights, including support for the LGBT community. According to the Office of the President-elect, Obama plans to expand hate crimes statutes, and though there's no specific details about what the new administration will do on that front moving forward, Obama's record as an Illinois State senator is clear: He helped expand hate-crime legislation in the state. He also supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes that there should be a federal legal remedy to discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace.

While both Obama and Vice President-elect Biden do not support redefining "marriage," they do support full civil unions with all of the federal rights afforded to straight married couples. Separate but equal, some might say, but a step in the right direction. Obama opposed Proposition 8 in California, wants to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, is against a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and wants to expand adoption rights.

In an effort to avoid the mistakes made by President Bill Clinton in the early '90s, Obama aims to repeal the U.S Military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy by working with military leaders on the issue. The next president also plans to promote AIDS prevention by implementing more than just an abstinence-first agenda, using common-sense approaches to contraception and even supporting more taboo issues like contraception education in the prison system and lifting the federal ban on needle exchange.

Now here's where I start preaching. It's nice to have a progressive voice in the Oval Office, but it our responsibility to hold Obama and Biden accountable and make sure they live up to their promises, particularly on these issues. For more information, check out the official Office of the President-elect transition website.

The election of Barack Obama, who included the phrase "gay and straight" in his acceptance speech on Tuesday night, is a cause for celebration in the LGBT community, as the next president likely won't be writing us out of the Constitution anytime soon. But this week was also marked by several ballot initiatives that impinge the progress gays and lesbians have seen in regard to marriage and family. Despite a state Supreme Court ruling that granted same-sex couples the right to marry and opposition by Obama and Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger, California voters passed Proposition 8, which amends the state constitution by defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. A staggering $74 million was spent on the proposition, including millions raised by the Mormon Church. Prop 8 wasn't the only dark cloud hanging over Obama's victory: Amendments banning same-sex marriage were also passed in neighboring state Arizona as well as Florida. The Sunshine State already prohibits gays from adopting children and now Arkansas can be added to that list. The state passed an initiative prohibiting unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children, a victory for religious fundamentalists and homophobes but a loss for gay couples that want to start a family. The biggest losers however, are the children currently living in the state's dismal foster care system. If you live in California, Arkansas, Arizona or Florida, you can take action by contacting your local representative.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama has responded to an open letter (view the PDF) sent to both presidential candidates by the Family Equality Council regarding John McCain’s statement to The New York Times that he does not "believe in gay adoption." (Side note: Is that like not believing in Santa?) In his letter, Obama acknowledges the needs and desires of families of all stripes and, of course, outlines his plan to strengthen American families—by doubling spending on after-school programs for children, expanding the Medical Leave Act and encouraging flexible work schedules for parents—but he doesn't really address issues facing LGBT families specifically until the final paragraph. Obama pledges to stand up for all American families and we should demand that the next president, whoever he is, keep that promise.

Contact Obama here.
Contact John McCain here.