Today, President Obama issued a Family Day Proclamation that would have been unimaginable last year.
Why?
Well, Obama acknowledged that same-sex parents lead families. Shocking, right? Not at all, and yet, it’s a step that we’ve not seen before. From the Easter Egg Roll, to today’s proclamation, the President’s steps to make clear that our families are a permanent part of the fabric of American society should not be ignored. The Right has had no problem taking advantage of and distorting the language of “family” to harm us in the past. It’s great to have a President reclaiming that language for the Left.
From the Proclamation:
Our family provides one of the strongest influences on our lives. American families from every walk of life have taught us time and again that children raised in loving, caring homes have the ability to reject negative behaviors and reach their highest potential. Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things.
Simple. Not subtle.
The full Proclamation is below the jump.
* * * * *
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release September 28, 2009
FAMILY DAY, 2009
- – - – - – -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Our family provides one of the strongest influences on our
lives. American families from every walk of life have taught us
time and again that children raised in loving, caring homes have
the ability to reject negative behaviors and reach their highest
potential. Whether children are raised by two parents, a single
parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families
encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great
things. Today, our children are confronting issues of drug and
alcohol use with astonishing regularity. On Family Day, we
honor the dedication of parents, commend the achievements of
their children, and celebrate the contributions our Nation’s
families have made to combat substance abuse among young people.
The 21st century presents families with unprecedented
challenges. Millions of women and men are struggling to balance
the demands of their jobs with the needs of their families.
At the same time, our youngest generation faces countless
distractions in their social environment. They are coming
of age in a world where electronic devices have replaced the
playground, televisions have preempted conversation, and
pressure to use drug and alcohol is far too prevalent. Parents
bear significant stress and burdens to protect their children
from harmful influences.
It is our responsibility to talk with adolescents about the
risks of abusing alcohol, tobacco, or prescription and illicit
drugs, and other harmful behaviors. These substances can
destroy the mind, body, and spirit of a child, jeopardizing
their health and limiting their potential. Active parents,
voicing their disapproval of drug use, have proven themselves
to be the most effective preventative method for keeping our
children drug-free. A strong and engaged family can make all
the difference in helping young people make healthy decisions.
By coming together as a family and discussing the events
of the day, parents can foster open communication, share joys
and concerns, and help guide their children toward healthy
decisionmaking. A strong nation is made up of strong families,
and on this Family Day, we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that
every American family has the chance to build a better,
healthier future for themselves and their children.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do
hereby proclaim September 28, 2009, as Family Day. I call upon
the people of the United States to join together in observing
this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor and
strengthen our Nation’s families.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
# # #
Popularity: 13% [?]
Chris Geidner is the award-winning senior political editor at D.C.'s Metro Weekly and has written for The Atlantic Online, The American Prospect, Advocate.com, Salon and other publications, as well as at his blog, Law Dork. In 2011, he received the Excellence in News Writing Award from the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association for his coverage of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal. Prior to moving to D.C. in 2009, he served as an attorney on the senior staff at the Ohio Attorney General's Office and had earlier worked for a leading Columbus law firm. An extended biography can be found
Not exactly. “couples”, not “parents.”
One word at a time, I guess.
Now if Obama proclaimed that he will sign into law marriage equality, that would be a proclaimation – but he will never do that because he is against marriage equality. His administration filed briefs with SCOTUS stopping cases challenging Discriminatory Offensive Marriage Attack proclaming that marriage equality is like raping children (pedophilia and incest).
As a candidate, Obama proclaimed that he was only for the rights of preachers not to perform wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples.
If Obama proclaimed that he would oveturn Don’t Ask Just Kick the Queers Out & Replace them with Felons and Fascists, and stopped kicking gay and lesbian Americans from the military (420 at the last count), that would be great. Instead, his administration blocked SCOTUS challenges proclaiming that this unconstitutional law is good for military unity.
Heterosupremacist in Chief Obama will continue keeping his promises to his supporters who voted against marriage equality in California, Florida and Arizona. His supporters in Arkansas voted against allowing gay and lesbian parents from adopting children abandoned by their heterosexual parents.
His proclaimation is meaningless.
planetspinz, did you actually read the DOMA briefs or are you just parroting what someone else told you about them? If you read them, could you quote the part that says same-sex marriage is like raping children?
PG
He’s parroting talking points. But my questions to all of the people on this board is this…
Did you vote for Clinton for his second term? If your answer was yes, then you are a hypocrite. He passed those unsightly bills; DOMA and DADT into law. But he still got reelected. With gay americans supporting him in large numbers. So instead of taking your rightful anger out on President Obama, please go out and try to be proactive instead reactive.
Law Dork, as I have said before you are doing a service by educating and informing the public of what is going on. I learn from your blog and I am challenged mentally. That’s a good thing. And one day, when DADT is overturned and DOMA on its way out of the door under this administration people will realize that civil rights always comes in small steps not sloppy large leaps.
Sigh. And Germany has a vice-chancellor who’s gay , no big deal, and we’re supposed to be pathetically grateful that the president actually admits we exist while the Bishop of Maine calls same sex marriage”a dangerous sociological experiment “. (cite)
What we should admit is this country is as backward as a fundie 3rd world nation. Has the same potholes in the roads, too.
Germany has a gay vice-chancellor who will do nothing for gays in Germany. He opposed the anti-discrimination law (because business owners are entitled to their prejudices). Do you need more?
I’m happy with this
More hot air.
How exciting.