Sen. Obama on LGBT Issues

In an interview this week, Sen. Barack Obama was questioned about his support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. In response, he expressed his strong desire for "full equality" to all homosexuals.

In particular, after he is elected, President Obama will eliminate the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the U.S. military and he will repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Also, Obama wants to give same-sex couples in the federal government the same health and pension benefits that married couples enjoy. He believes that changes in the federal employee benefit structure will provide impetus for changes in states throughout the nation.

"So I actually have been much more vocal on gay issues to general audiences than any other presidential candidate probably in history. What I probably haven't done as much as the press would like is to put out as many specialized interviews. But that has more to do with our focus on general press than it does on ... I promise you the African-American press says the same thing."

Senator Obama's remarks come off as honest and I get no sense that he's pandering for support. There's one caveat, though. I'm unconvinced by his denial of instituting a litmus test regarding attitudes on homosexuality for nominees to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

Maybe I'm imagining things, but that assertion seems incomplete without a wink and a nudge.

In any event, Sen. Obama declares himself as a strong shaker and mover for homosexual interests.