Two simple things Obama could do for gays that would make this gay happy

[dsc]

One, he can intervene in this case. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/21/kerry_makes_plea_for_gay_couple_in_asylum_case/

Senator John F. Kerry is urging the US attorney general to reunite a gay married couple in Massachusetts who were separated in 2007 when a federal judge ordered one of the men to return to Brazil.

Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, who is married to Haverhill advertising agency owner Tim Coco, returned home in August 2007 after he lost his asylum case and appeal, which was based on his story that he had suffered a brutal rape and discrimination in Brazil.

In a letter this week, Kerry asked Attorney General Eric Holder to overrule the lower court and grant Oliveira asylum. In the letter, Kerry criticized Immigration Judge Francis Cramer for rejecting the asylum plea even though Cramer had found the testimony credible. Kerry said it was "outrageous" that Cramer noted that Oliveira was not physically harmed by the rape.

end of quote

Two, he can end the ban on gay males giving blood. In an age of AIDS testing it is no longer needed.

Both of these are in his direct power. Both would send a strong signal that gays are real people with real rights. He can do this now, he can do it easy. I get criticised for having no constructive ideas. Here are two.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Did you write to the White House about these requests?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

[dsc]

2. yes on the blood

not yet on the other, as it is fairly new.

[Skittles]

3. just curious but

would Obama even have the power to intervene on blood donor regs? That sounds strange to me.

[dsc]

4. Yea via the FDA

every major blood organization is in favor of the change but the FDA refuses.

[Occam Bandage]

5. The blood donor rules definitely need to be changed.

I don't know enough about Oliveira, or about the implications of intervention in this case, but I trust Sen. Kerry's judgment here.

[dsc]

6. Not matter the opinion of Oliveira the fact is if they were straight

this wouldn't even be an issue.

[Pisces]

7. I don't think anything Obama would do to advance gay issues would be enough for you.

You would come up with some other bar in order to pass your standard.

[dsc]

9. whatever

you have every right to your worthless opinion.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

8. Absolutely on the blood issue!

Often overlooked.

I'm unfamiliar with the first point. Thanks for pointing it out. :thumbsup: