The Prince Diary 王子日記

今年是觸發同志們挺身而出爭取平等權利的「石牆事件40週年」，Obama 總統跟第一夫人 Michelle 在本星期一（06/29）邀請了一大堆男、女同志在白宮，大開同志轟趴！

Obama 上台之後，其實是馬上遇到跟他的同志政見對衝的幾件事。第一當然是他當選的同一天，加州以及另外兩州的同性婚姻不但被推翻，而且是被公投而禁絕。接著美籍韓裔的步兵中尉趙丹尼因為公開出櫃而被迫退伍，而 Obama 在競選時公開講過，將要改變一但在軍中出櫃就要強迫退伍的「Don’t Ask Don’t Tell」規定。Obama 也說過要推翻「DOMA」，也就是從聯邦層級禁絕所有同性婚姻的一項法律，但是幾個星期之前，美國司法部居然在為這項法律辯護，並且還把同性婚姻對比為「亂倫」。這些事情層出不窮，讓許多支持他的同志很惱火。

其實 Obama 是很辛苦的，布希在下台之前，民事任命了一大批人，這些人是無法隨著改朝換代而更換的，所以等於布希先行在政府裡頭佈下許多基督教的暗樁，隨時要在背後捅 Obama，同時也捅同志們一刀。

像六月份是「LGBT Pride Month」，除了民間慶祝，聯邦政府當中也張貼慶祝海報或標語。結果上星期勞工部大樓當中的慶祝同志海報，有的被人撕爛，有的不見了，有的被倒過來貼，如果是鎖在框裡面的，框框都被破壞。想也知道就是那些恨同志的基督教暗樁偷偷搞的鬼。不過 Obama 任命的新任勞工部長 Hilda Solis，對此震怒，對全勞工部發出警告信，說不准這樣，如果抓到一律嚴懲。

想想看，如果今天是共和黨的執政，會嚴懲嗎？忙著把所有慶祝同志月的海報撕爛丟在地上踩，一面踩一面引用聖經高聲咒罵都來不及了。

Obama 在「白宮同志轟趴」一開始的演講當中，除了回顧同志奮鬥的歷史，也坦承有些同志認為他做的還不夠。他說自己沒有資格叫人家要等他慢慢改革，但他一直有在努力，現在他才上任半年，他希望八年卸任的時候，同志們回顧，能感到給了他這八年沒有白費。

他也特別講到，關於同志權益，光修改法律是不夠的，最重要的，要改變人們的「心」。然後他說到重點了，他說，為了要改變人們的心，所以他不只與同志對話，他也與「黑人基督教會」對話，也與「傳統上不願意改變的人」對話。

這正是我一直以來所指出的，不能把問題推到政客身上，因為真正的問題是基督教會在把持選民，在給選民洗腦，從心靈層次去桎梏選民，這手法跟共產黨是一模一樣的。政治人物因為需要選民，所以也只好服從教會。

因此只要教會的力量繼續強大有力，教會對政治人物的掌握就能夠一日不放鬆，那同志們就永遠不會有希望。

下面請看白宮官方貼出來的「白宮同志轟趴實況轉播」，白宮很貼心的有上字幕，演講稿也貼在下面，供大家參考。

馬英九甚麼時候要在總統府開同志轟趴呢？如果開了，反對黨跟基督教人士是不是又要罵馬英九很娘、是gay呢？

Obama 也提到非常重要的一點，就是所有的改變，不是來自某一個人，而是要關心同志權益的每一個人，如同40年前的 Stonewall 事件一樣，親身參與，親身為自己的幸福奮鬥，才會實現。即使他今天是總統，但還是需要國會的立法，才能夠真正給同志們永久的合法權益（行政命令是撐不久的），而這些都需要同志們從改變社會人心、弱化基督教會開始，才能進一步的讓國會議員們不再受到宗教以及意識形態的束縛，能放手與白宮合作，推翻貶低、限制社會上弱勢同志權益的惡法，同時訂立平等的、真正給予全民福祉的新法。

下面是完整講稿，以及出席來賓名單，當中有各級政府官員、民意代表、警長、各行各業人士、民權人士等等，都是公開出櫃的同志。

For Immediate Release                         June 29, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

AT LGBT PRIDE MONTH RECEPTION

East Room

4:35 P.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.)  Hey!  Good to see you.  (Applause.)  I'm waiting for FLOTUS here.  FLOTUS always politics more than POTUS.

     MRS. OBAMA:  No, you move too slow.  (Laughter.)

     THE PRESIDENT:  It is great to see everybody here today and they're just -- I've got a lot of friends in the room, but there are some people I want to especially acknowledge.  First of all, somebody who helped ensure that we are in the White House, Steve Hildebrand.  Please give Steve a big round of applause.  (Applause.)  Where's Steve?  He's around here somewhere.  (Applause.)

     The new chair of the Export-Import Bank, Fred Hochberg.  (Applause.)  Where's Fred?  There's Fred.  Good to see you, Fred.  Our Director of the Institute of Education Sciences at DOE, John Easton.  Where's John?  (Applause.)  A couple of special friends -- Bishop Gene Robinson.  Where's Gene?  (Applause.)  Hey, Gene.  Ambassador Michael Guest is here.  (Applause.)  Ambassador Jim Hormel is here.  (Applause.)  Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown is here.  (Applause.) 

     All of you are here.  (Laughter and applause.)  Welcome to your White House.  (Applause.)  So --

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)  (Laughter.)

     THE PRESIDENT:  Somebody asked from the Lincoln Bedroom here.  (Laughter.)  You knew I was from Chicago too.  (Laughter.) 

It's good to see so many friends and familiar faces, and I deeply appreciate the support I've received from so many of you.  Michelle appreciates it and I want you to know that you have our support, as well.  (Applause.)  And you have my thanks for the work you do every day in pursuit of equality on behalf of the millions of people in this country who work hard and care about their communities -- and who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.  (Applause.)

     Now this struggle, I don't need to tell you, is incredibly difficult, although I think it's important to consider the extraordinary progress that we have made.  There are unjust laws to overturn and unfair practices to stop.  And though we've made progress, there are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes; who fail to see your families like their families; and who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted.  And I know this is painful and I know it can be heartbreaking.

     And yet all of you continue, leading by the force of the arguments you make but also by the power of the example that you set in your own lives -- as parents and friends, as PTA members and leaders in the community.  And that's important, and I'm glad that so many LGBT families could join us today.  (Applause.)  For we know that progress depends not only on changing laws but also changing hearts.  And that real, transformative change never begins in Washington.

     (Cell phone "quacks.")

     Whose duck is back there?  (Laughter.)

     MRS. OBAMA:  It's a duck.

     THE PRESIDENT:  There's a duck quacking in there somewhere.  (Laughter.)  Where do you guys get these ring tones, by the way?  (Laughter.)  I'm just curious.  (Laughter.)

     Indeed, that's the story of the movement for fairness and equality -- not just for those who are gay, but for all those in our history who've been denied the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; who've been told that the full blessings and opportunities of this country were closed to them.  It's the story of progress sought by those who started off with little influence or power; by men and women who brought about change through quiet, personal acts of compassion and courage and sometimes defiance wherever and whenever they could. 

     That's the story of a civil rights pioneer who's here today, Frank Kameny, who was fired -- (applause.)  Frank was fired from his job as an astronomer for the federal government simply because he was gay.  And in 1965, he led a protest outside the White House, which was at the time both an act of conscience but also an act of extraordinary courage.  And so we are proud of you, Frank, and we are grateful to you for your leadership.  (Applause.)

     It's the story of the Stonewall protests, which took place 40 years ago this week, when a group of citizens -- with few options, and fewer supporters -- decided they'd had enough and refused to accept a policy of wanton discrimination.  And two men who were at those protests are here today.  Imagine the journey that they've travelled.

     It's the story of an epidemic that decimated a community -- and the gay men and women who came to support one another and save one another; and who continue to fight this scourge; and who demonstrated before the world that different kinds of families can show the same compassion and support in a time of need -- that we all share the capacity to love.

     So this story, this struggle, continues today -- for even as we face extraordinary challenges as a nation, we cannot -- and will not -- put aside issues of basic equality.  (Applause.)  We seek an America in which no one feels the pain of discrimination based on who you are or who you love. 

     And I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that.  It's not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half century ago. 

     But I say this:  We have made progress and we will make more.  And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps.  And by the time you receive -- (applause.)  We've been in office six months now.  I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration.  (Applause.)   

     Now, while there is much more work to do, we can point to important changes we've already put in place since coming into office.  I've signed a memorandum requiring all agencies to extend as many federal benefits as possible to LGBT families as current law allows.  And these are benefits that will make a real difference for federal employees and Foreign Service Officers, who are so often treated as if their families don't exist.  And I'd like to note that one of the key voices in helping us develop this policy is John Berry, our director of the Office of Personnel Management, who is here today.  And I want to thank John Berry.  (Applause.)

     I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to help end discrimination -- (applause) -- to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in this country.  Now, I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides.  And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law.  I've made that clear.

     I'm also urging Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, which will guarantee the full range of benefits, including health care, to LGBT couples and their children.  (Applause.)  My administration is also working hard to pass an employee non-discrimination bill and hate crimes bill, and we're making progress on both fronts.  (Applause.)  Judy and Dennis Shepard, as well as their son Logan, are here today.  I met with Judy in the Oval Office in May -- (applause) -- and I assured her and I assured all of you that we are going to pass an inclusive hate crimes bill into law, a bill named for their son Matthew.  (Applause.) 

     In addition, my administration is committed to rescinding the discriminatory ban on entry to the United States based on HIV status.  (Applause.)  The Office of Management and Budget just concluded a review of a proposal to repeal this entry ban, which is a first and very big step towards ending this policy.  And we all know that HIV/AIDS continues to be a public health threat in many communities, including right here in the District of Columbia.  And that's why this past Saturday, on National HIV Testing Day, I was proud once again to encourage all Americans to know their status and get tested the way Michelle and I know our status and got tested.  (Applause.)

And finally, I want to say a word about "don't ask, don't tell."  As I said before -- I'll say it again -- I believe "don't ask, don't tell" doesn't contribute to our national security.  (Applause.)  In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security.  (Applause.) 

     Now, my administration is already working with the Pentagon and members of the House and the Senate on how we'll go about ending this policy, which will require an act of Congress.

     Someday, I'm confident, we'll look back at this transition and ask why it generated such angst, but as Commander-in-Chief, in a time of war, I do have a responsibility to see that this change is administered in a practical way and a way that takes over the long term.  That's why I've asked the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan for how to thoroughly implement a repeal.

     I know that every day that passes without a resolution is a deep disappointment to those men and women who continue to be discharged under this policy -- patriots who often possess critical language skills and years of training and who've served this country well.  But what I hope is that these cases underscore the urgency of reversing this policy not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it is essential for our national security.

     Now, even as we take these steps, we must recognize that real progress depends not only on the laws we change but, as I said before, on the hearts we open.  For if we're honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that there are good and decent people in this country who don't yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters -- not yet. 

     That's why I've spoken about these issues not just in front of you, but in front of unlikely audiences -- in front of African American church members, in front of other audiences that have traditionally resisted these changes.  And that's what I'll continue to do so.  That's how we'll shift attitudes.  That's how we'll honor the legacy of leaders like Frank and many others who have refused to accept anything less than full and equal citizenship.

     Now, 40 years ago, in the heart of New York City at a place called the Stonewall Inn, a group of citizens, including a few who are here today, as I said, defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement.

     It was the middle of the night.  The police stormed the bar, which was known for being one of the few spots where it was safe to be gay in New York.  Now, raids like this were entirely ordinary.  Because it was considered obscene and illegal to be gay, no establishments for gays and lesbians could get licenses to operate.  The nature of these businesses, combined with the vulnerability of the gay community itself, meant places like Stonewall, and the patrons inside, were often the victims of corruption and blackmail.

     Now, ordinarily, the raid would come and the customers would disperse.  But on this night, something was different.  There are many accounts of what happened, and much has been lost to history, but what we do know is this:  People didn't leave.  They stood their ground.  And over the course of several nights they declared that they had seen enough injustice in their time.  This was an outpouring against not just what they experienced that night, but what they had experienced their whole lives.  And as with so many movements, it was also something more:  It was at this defining moment that these folks who had been marginalized rose up to challenge not just how the world saw them, but also how they saw themselves.

     As we've seen so many times in history, once that spirit takes hold there is little that can stand in its way.  (Applause.)  And the riots at Stonewall gave way to protests, and protests gave way to a movement, and the movement gave way to a transformation that continues to this day.  It continues when a partner fights for her right to sit at the hospital bedside of a woman she loves.  It continues when a teenager is called a name for being different and says, "So what if I am?"  It continues in your work and in your activism, in your fight to freely live your lives to the fullest.

In one year after the protests, a few hundred gays and lesbians and their supporters gathered at the Stonewall Inn to lead a historic march for equality.  But when they reached Central Park, the few hundred that began the march had swelled to 5,000.  Something had changed, and it would never change back.

     The truth is when these folks protested at Stonewall 40 years ago no one could have imagined that you -- or, for that matter, I -- (laughter) -- would be standing here today.  (Applause.)  So we are all witnesses to monumental changes in this country.  That should give us hope, but we cannot rest.  We must continue to do our part to make progress -- step by step, law by law, mind by changing mind.  And I want you to know that in this task I will not only be your friend, I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a President who fights with you and for you.

     Thanks very much, everybody.  God bless you.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  It's a little stuffed in here.  We're going to open -- we opened up that door.  We're going to walk this way, and then we're going to come around and we'll see some of you over there, all right?  (Laughter.)  But out there.  (Laughter.) 

But thank you very much, all, for being here.  Enjoy the White House.  Thank you.  (Applause.) 

END                4:53 P.M. EDT

White House LGBT Event 
June 29, 2009

Administration Officials 


John Berry, Director, Office of Personnel Management 
Fred Hochberg, Chair, Export-Import Bank 
John Easton, Director, Institute of Education Sciences at the Department of Education

City and State Officials 


Jason Bartlett, Connecticut House of Representatives 
Kate Brown, Oregon Secretary of State 
David Dibble, Minnesota State Senator 
Evan Low, Vice-Mayor, Campbell, CA City Council 
Al McAffrey, Oklahoma House of Representatives 
Andrew Mcdonald, Connecticut House of Representatives 
Robert Meza, Arizona House of Representatives 
Christine Quinn, New York City Council 
Debra Shore, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago 
Denise Simmons, Mayor of Cambridge, MA 
Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona House of Representatives 
Patricia Todd, Alabama House of Representatives 
Lupe Valdez, Dallas County Sheriff

Other Invited Guests (Invite Only) 


Michael Adams, Service and Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) 
Mark Agrast, Washington, DC 
Madeline Alk, New York, NY 
Ron Ansin, Harvard, MA 
Judith Appelbaum, Department of Justice 
Chip Arndt, Miami Beach, FL 
Cornelius Baker, National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition 
Tom Barbera, SEIU Lavender Caucus 
Andrew Barnett, Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) 
Jarrett Barrios, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) 
Vic Basile, Office of Personnel Management 
Christopher Bates, Washington, DC 
Michael Bauer, Chicago, IL 
Terrance Bean, Portland, OR 
Jeremy Bernard, National Endowement for the Humanities 
Jennifer Besson, Washington, DC 
Dana Beyer, Chevy Chase, MD 
David Binder, San Francisco, CA 
Elizabeth Birch, Washington, DC 
Jeremy Bishop, Pride at Work (AFL-CIO) 
David Bohnett, Beverly Hills, CA 
Marsha Botzer, Quilcene, WA 
Raymond Buckley, DNC Vice-Chair 
Eliza Byard, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) 
Christopher Caldwell, Los Angeles, CA 
Leslie Calman, Mautner Project 
Rea Carey, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 
Charles Carter, New York, NY 
Kevin Cathcart, Lambda Legal 
Curtis Chin, Los Angeles, CA 
Jennifer Chrisler, Family Equality Council 
Jamie Citron, Department of Health and Human Services 
Wes Combs, Washington, DC 
Roberta Conroy, Santa Monica, CA 
Cheryl Cook, Department of Agriculture 
Stampp Corbin, San Diego, CA 
Michael Council, Columbus, OH 
Wilson Cruz, West Hollywood, CA 
Mark Davis, Philadelphia, P 
Q Todd Dickinson, Washington, DC 
Daniel Dozier, Washington, DC 
Ruby Dunning, Washington, DC 
Ingrid Duran, Falls Church, VA 
Christopher Dyer, Washington, DC Office of LGBT Affairs 
Steven Elmendorf, Washington, DC 
Fred Eychaner, Chicago, IL 
Eric Fanning, Department of Justice 
Bishop Yvette Flunder, City of Refuge United Church of Christ 
Earl Fowlkes, International Federation of Black Prides 
Rebecca Fox, National Coalition for LGBT Health 
R. Brandon Fradd, New York, NY 
Daniel Galindo, San Antonio, TX 
Adolfo Garay, New York, N 
Jesus Garcia, TX LULAC 4871 
Joan Garry, Montclair, NJ 
Rufus Gifford, Washington, DC 
Emily Giske, New York, NY 
Mitchell Gold, Hickory, NC 
John Gonzalez, Washington, DC 
Vernita Gray, Chicago, IL 
Chad Griffin, Los Angeles, CA 
Patrick Guerriero, Gill Action 
Hon. Michael Guest, Former Ambassador 
Rebecca Haag, AIDS Action 
Steve Hildebrand, Sioux Falls, SD 
Gavin Hilgemeier, Federal GLOBE 
Leonard Hirsch, Federal GLOBE 
Lorilyn Holmes, Federal GLOBE 
Clifford Honicker, Knoxville, TN 
Conrad Honicker, Knoxville, TN 
Gerald Hoose, Stonewall Participant 
Ernest Hopkins, Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief 
Hon. James Hormel, Former Ambassador 
Paul Horning, Atlanta, GA 
Brad Hoylman, Village Independent Democrats 
Jody Huckaby, Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 
Kevin Jennings, Department of Education 
Jennifer Jones, Department of Housing and Urban Development 
Frank Kamney, Washington, DC 
Elaine Kaplan, Office of Personnel Management 
Paul Kawata, National Minority AIDS Council 
Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equity 
Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights 
Jacqueline Kittrell, Knoxville, TN 
Harry Knox, Human Rights Campaign 
Steven Latasa-Nicks, New York, NY 
Andre Leon Talley, White Plains, NY 
Richard Llewellyn, Los Angeles, CA 
Robert Llewellyn, Los Angeles, CA 
Rosemary Llewellyn, Los Angeles, CA 
Thomas Lopach, Export-Import Bank 
Lin Lougheed, Miami Beach, FL 
Claire Lucas, Corona del Mar, CA 
Glenn Magpantay, Federation of LGBTQ AAPI Organizations 
Mary Beth Maxwell, Department of Labor 
Lisbeth MelendezRivera, Unid@s 
Shannon Minter, National Center for Lesbian Rights 
Chance Mitchell, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 
Mary Morten, Chicago, IL 
Babak Movahedi, Miami Beach, FL 
David Munar, National Association of People with AIDS 
Kevin Naff, Washington Blade 
Justin Nelson, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 
J. Alexander Nicholson, Servicemembers United 
David Noble, NASA 
Matt Nosanchuk, Silver Spring, MD 
Robyn Ochs, BiNet USA and Bisexual Resource Center 
Derek Orr, DC Office of Disability Rights 
C. Dixon Osborn, Washington, DC 
Kathleen Padilla, Philadelphia, PA 
Pari Parker, Washington, DC 
Skip Paul, Beverly Hills, CA 
Terry Penrod, Columbus, OH 
Troy Perry, Founder Metropolitan Community Churches 
Thomas Petrillo, Washington, DC 
Frank Pond, Los Angeles, CA 
Robert Raben, Raben Group 
Gautam Raghavan, Department of Defense 
Steven Ralls, Washington, DC 
Ellen Ratner, Washington, DC 
Miriam Redleaf, Chicago, IL 
Catherine Renna, Chicago, IL 
Dr. Sylvia Rhue, National Black Justice Coalition 
Jeffrey Richardson, Washington, DC 
Laura Ricketts, Chicago, IL 
Anthony Riley, Prince Georges County, MD 
Carmen Robello, New York, NY 
Bishop Gene Robinson, Diocese of New Hampshire 
Hilary Rosen, Washington, DC 
David Rosenauer, New York, NY 
Renee Rosenfield, New York, NY 
Jane Saks, Chicago, IL 
Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network 
Thomas Schmidt, Stonewall Participant 
Marsha Scott, Washington, DC 
Evan Shapiro, New York, NY 
Jonathan Sheffer, New York, NY 
Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard Foundation 
Babs Siperstein, Edison, NJ 
Melissa Sklarz, National Stonewall Democrats 
Mary Snider, Silver Spring, MD 
Courtney Snowden, The Raben Group 
Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign 
Rick Stafford, DNC LGBT Caucus Chair 
Eric Stern, UC Berkeley School of Law 
Jon Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI 
Sally Susman, New York, NY 
John Tedstrom, Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) 
Kevin Thompson, Seattle, WA 
Andrew Tobias, DNC Treasurer 
Jeffrey Trammell, Washington, DC 
Ted Trimpa, Denver, CO 
Gregory Varnum, National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC) 
Alex Wagner, Department of Defense 
Paquita Wiggins, Beltsville, MD 
Phil Wilson, Black AIDS Institute 
Peter Wilson, New York, NY 
Robert Witeck, Arlington, VA 
Chuck Wolfe, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund 
Tobias Wolff, Philadelphia, PA