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The current buzz surrounding the 2024 US general elections is focused on the number of black men showing their support for former president Donald Trump of the Republican Party. Black women who have pledged their allegiance to Vice President Kamala Harris, as the first black female candidate for the presidency are disheartened by the lack of support from their male counterparts. Former president Obama even went as far as suggesting that black men were sexist or misogynistic for not supporting the female Democratic candidate. Interestingly, Obama neglected to acknowledge that. One of the reasons for the shift in support is attributed to this fact. His former administration utilized the overwhelming support from the black community to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community exclusively.
To be clear, black men fully commend supporting LGBTQIA+ rights. However, our concern lies in the unequal fervor towards exclusively Black Issues. In a previous article, I emphasized that the Democrats should prioritize the LGBTQIA+ vote rather than the black vote in the upcoming elections. It could be argued that former President Obama should have accused black men of being homophobic instead of misogynistic. This is because both Obama and Vice President Harris strongly advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. It’s worth noting that this is not to say that black men are inherently homophobic or misogynistic. Instead, it highlights the deceptive tactics of the Democratic party. Rather than openly stating their agenda to propel LGBTQIA+ rights, they mask it under the guise of race and gender when, in reality, their focus is on sexuality.
Let’s talk about some ways the Democrats championed LGBTQIA+ Issues exclusively. During his time as president, Barack Obama made significant strides in advancing LGBTQIA+ rights, leading to a major shift in federal policies and public attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community (not heterosexual black men). While many heterosexual black men praised the first black president for his support of the LGBTQIA+ community, we had voted for him with the hope that he would also be a champion for Black struggles. As black men, we face numerous systemic barriers in areas such as our societal perception, economic opportunities, nuclear family, business opportunities, gainful employment, housing, education, policing in our communities, gun violence, and healthcare – and we needed someone who would champion our cause.
Unfortunately (for many heterosexual black men), the Obama administration failed to live up to our expectations. Some Republicans have argued that Barack Obama wasn’t the first black president but the first LGBTQIA+ president of the United States. This was evident in some of his earliest actions as president, signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law in 2009. Commendably, it expanded federal hate crime legislation to protect individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. This allowed the federal government to assist local jurisdictions in prosecuting hate crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community. It begs the question – why did a president who campaigned on civil rights suddenly prioritize the LGBTQIA+ community over the Black Community?
Instead of admitting his focus shift, many Democrats accused these black men of being anti. Furthermore, in addition to his previous actions, Obama took another bold step by repealing the policy “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” This outdated policy, which had been in place since 1993, prevented members of the LGBTQIA+ community from openly serving in the US military. With the repeal signed in 2010, LGBTQIA+ individuals were finally able to serve openly, creating a more inclusive environment within the US military. While this was a significant and much-needed victory for the LGBTQIA+ community, it also left many heterosexual black men wondering about our marginalized group. Specifically, how were Obama’s policy changes benefiting heterosexual black men, if at all? Once again, we were left with the question: what about us?
Obama’s third most notable action (for the LGBTQIA+) during his presidency was his unwavering support for Marriage Equality. He became the first sitting president in 2012 to openly back same-sex marriage, a groundbreaking and influential stance in promoting LGBTQIA+ marriage. Remember, 2012 was his re-election year. Black men supported him overwhelmingly even though he had made more strides for the LGBTQIA+ community (showing we are not homophonic). That year, his administration actively advocated for marriage equality through amicus briefs filed in the landmark Supreme Court cases of United States v. Windsor (2013) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). The latter case ultimately led to the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, marking a pivotal moment for LGBTQIA+ rights in the US.
While many heterosexual African American men who voted for Obama found his courage to support LGBTQIA+ rights commendable, we witnessed our chosen leader devote years of efforts to the LGBTQIA+ community while neglecting our (exclusively) pressing concerns. Again, there was the “what about us” question. The fourth Obama step was crucial, granting Federal Protections to LGBTQIA+ Workers. Once again, the systematically oppressed black men bore witness as our candidate took action in 2014, issuing Executive Order 13665 that forbade federal contractors from discriminating against employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This order protected millions of LGBTQIA+ workers in the federal workforce and related contracts, marking another triumph for the LGBTQIA+ community.
It was clear that former president Obama was gaining momentum. Many in the heterosexual black community were starting to realize this. Our civil rights concerns were not a top priority for this Democratic administration. To be explicit, I refer to specific and tangible solutions to the exclusive issues black people face, not just vague promises. Former President Obama took a significant step forward by expanding Healthcare Protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals, marking his fifth considerable action for the LGBTQIA+ community. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obama Care by Republicans, he worked towards providing better healthcare access to the LGBTQIA+ community. This is not to say that the Obama Care Act did not benefit other minority groups. It is a wide-reaching program.
However, for the LGBTQIA+ community, it included measures to prevent discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The Affordable Care Act was significantly beneficial for them. The ACA also ensured that essential health services were available to LGBTQIA+ individuals. That included transgender people without fear of discrimination. Many LGBTQIA+-related surgical procedures are unaffordable when paid out of pocket. However, the Obama Care effort faced opposition from Republicans, who sought to repeal the ACA. That led Obama to criticize the Republicans, insinuating that their actions were motivated by racism as if the ACA was only beneficial for black people. The Democrats’ tactics of using black people to justify policies that primarily benefit other marginalized groups were also exposed.
They would describe their policies as beneficial for black people. In reality, they were exclusively for feminists, the LGBTQIA+ community, or other minority groups. Obama’s main focus was his presidential legacy of supporting Transgender Rights. His administration took several steps to protect transgender rights. That included issuing guidance to public schools in 2016. It stated that transgender students should be allowed to use bathrooms according to their gender identity. The administration also made it easier for transgender people to update their gender on passports. Eventually, towards the end of Obama’s second term, it rightfully allowed transgender people to serve in the U.S. military openly. Again, I am not criticizing Obama for championing LGBTQIA+ rights. I’m painting a picture of this topic.
This demonstrated Obama’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of transgender individuals. It solidified his legacy as a champion of LGBTQIA+ equality and inclusion. Obama and his administration were strong proponents of LGBTQIA+ rights and representation. In a powerful show of support, the White House was illuminated in rainbow colors following the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. That symbolizes Obama’s unwavering stance on LGBTQIA+ rights. Additionally, Obama made a point to appoint numerous LGBTQIA+ individuals within the federal government. It includes the historic appointment of Raffi Freedman-Gurspan as the first openly transgender White House staff member. Although, I am not suggesting that all members of the LGBTQIA+ community should be voting for Kamala Harris.
Joe Biden and his administration have taken measures to pressure African governments into prioritizing LGBTQIA+ issues over economic growth and other problems within their nations. The Obama administration actively promoted LGBTQIA+ rights on a global scale, utilizing diplomatic channels to push against discriminatory laws and attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community. In a groundbreaking speech in 2011, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton boldly declared that “gay rights are human rights,” solidifying the Obama administration’s stance on LGBTQIA+ rights in U.S. foreign policy. These bold actions and policies marked a shift in the federal government’s stance on LGBTQIA+ rights, increasing equality and visibility for the community within the United States and the West.
Black men did not get a single executive order. Given all the actions and initiatives undertaken by former presidents Obama and Biden, as well as the Democratic party, it is only logical for them to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ vote openly. Kamala Harris and the Democrats don’t need to seek our votes in predominantly heterosexual black civil rights circles. Should heterosexual black men vote for the Democratic ticket? That is entirely their decision. However, we are not indebted to this current generation of Democratic leaders for our votes. They have consistently shown that their primary focus is on the LGBTQIA+ community. Therefore, it would be more meaningful for them to campaign openly for that community and assure them that, once elected, they will continue to work towards securing more rights for them.
As much as it may sound divisive, three distinct groups are seeking social justice in the United States – feminists, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the heterosexual black civil rights community. Each group will vote for the presidential candidate with a proven track record and policies aligning with their interests. The relationship between President Obama and the heterosexual black men who support Donald Trump is very complex. Do you agree or disagree?
