An Open Letter to President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden

by J.E. Remy

I would like to express my appreciation for President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden’s decision to challenge the status quo in Washington, and bring about the kind of change America needs. However, I am certainly not alone in my concern that while this agenda has a comprehensive range of issues, it is notably light regarding those related to sexuality and gender identity. Civil rights protecting the safety of citizens (through the expansion of the Matthew Shepard Act) and combating unfair employment practices (through the Employment Non-Discrimination Act) is a welcome start, but it simply isn’t enough.

In the wake of an exciting and historical election, same-sex partnerships have experienced an even greater level of sexual discrimination. Among the rights refused or stripped from such partnerships is that of an equal marriage. Beyond the emotional impact of such inequality, the refusal to provide the right of marriage to all consenting adult partners creates an economic hardship for these families. Yet, medical expenses, the cost of multiple familial units, higher taxes and insurance cost, and estate taxes are only the beginning.

The separate-but-equal policies disallowing the union of a loving and monogamous family assigns same sex-couples to a second-class status. By ignoring the fact that sexuality is genetic and unchangeable (in favor for an argument of tradition and religious intolerance), our government is suggesting same-sex partnerships are unnatural and contrary to the will of God. No anti-discrimination act or legal protection can ensure the welfare of a people dismissed as less-than-human.

It is time for our government to clearly establish equality in civil marriage. There is no reason a civil agreement needs to suffer from the marginalizing repression of religious ceremony. Separate church and state, and legalize same-sex marriage.

(Submit your ideas and be part of solving our country's challenges at Change.gov)

(11/20: Since writing this letter, President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden have expanded the Civil Rights section of Change.gov to include support for the LGBT community!)