David Mixner Blasts Administration for it's Defense of DOMA

Late last week, in a court filing defending against a challenge to the the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Barack Obama - the fierce defender of gay and lesbian Americans - compared same-sex marriage to pedophilia and incest. The man who promised us he would repeal DOMA and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DODT) has, just like Bill Clinton, stabbed LGBT Americans in the back.

LGBT rights advocate and former advisor to Pres. Bill Clinton posted the following statement on his website, www.davidmixner.com, blasting the Obama administration for it's appalling and deeply insulting statements:

A Personal Statement: DOMA Brief Brings Shame To Obama Team!

The brief in defense of DOMA filed by President Obama's Department of Justice could have been written by the Rev. Pat Robertson. Using the worst of stereotypes, it intimates that we don't have constitutional guarantees, invokes scenarios of incest, of children and advocates that we don't have the same rights as others who have struggled for civil rights.

For two days, I have searched for an explanation, attempted to make my reading of the consequences of this horrendous document wrong and actually have sought out the opinions of a number of legal scholars. Anyway you cut it, it is a sickening document - one that this administration should be ashamed of and should disgust any friend of this community.

What in the hell were they thinking? Or is that their thinking?

There is some question among scholars as to whether this administration was required to respond to DOMA at all. Most think not, but some very respected ones feel they had to respond. However, to a person, they say that the response is way out of line, totally unnecessary and goes far beyond anything required. They all agree that if the Department of Justice felt they had to respond, a simple, few-paged brief on the very limited issue before the Federal Court would have been all that was necessary. The argument that they were required to write this all-out attack on our rights is simply bogus!

You fully need to understand the ramifications of this brief: it undercuts every conceivable argument that the LGBT community would use to fight for the repeal of DOMA. Right-wing nut cases can now just simply quote horrible stuff from this hateful brief and proclaim loudly it was filed by the Obama Justice Department. The President and his team have not only undercut this community but have damaged his own ability to repeal this hideous law given to us by President Clinton. With Democratic friends like these, God helps us.

I will not attend a fundraiser for the National Democratic Party in Washington next week when the current administration is responsible for these kind of actions. How will they ever take us seriously if we keep forking out money while they harm us. For now on, my money is going to battles within the community such as the fight in Maine or the March on Washington! I am so tired of being told by Democratic operatives to 'suck it up' because so many other profound issues are at stake. It is as if our fight for our freedom is single handedly responsible for the fate of all other issues. Bullshit. Maybe, just maybe, it is time for others to 'suck it up' for us and finally, without conditions, join our fight for our freedom!

Just in case you think I am overreacting, take a look at a sampling of the reaction around the community in the previous post.. Even HRC and The Task Force issued strong statements against the brief and they are to be commended for doing so. Americablog.com broke the story and they deserve enormous credit for their excellence.

President Obama, even Dick Cheney is for marriage equality. Please don't try to placate us with actions already taken 16 years ago by President Clinton. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton might be able to help you find the way since she has already written a policy for your approval ending discrimination in her agency. This community is no longer interested in hearing one more time your personal beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman. We want you to rise above your own beliefs and hear you articulate a powerful vision of full equality for LGBT Americans. You must come out for a full, not partial, repeal of DOMA and liberate our brave LGBT soldiers fighting to protect America in order to restore our faith in you and your leadership.

We want to believe; give us a reason.