Center for American Progress

President Obama Is Ending Black America’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy
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President Obama Is Ending Black America’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy

Since President Obama declared his support for marriage equality last week, many politicos (including myself) have speculated about whether black voters, who are divided on the issue, will abandon him. The consensus among gay rights supporters and foes alike is a resounding "no." Sure, some black clergy are outraged, but even they admit this issue is no deal breaker. And the ongoing debate over an unlikely black backlash eclipses what promises to be the most profound impact of the president’s "evolution."

President Obama has single-handedly dismantled the "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy within the black church — that silent disdain on issues of sexuality that renders black gay and transgender people all but invisible, shames people living with HIV, and masquerades as love-the-sinner-hate-the-sin compassion.

The above excerpt was originally published in The Atlantic. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

Aisha C. Moodie-Mills

Senior Fellow and Director, FIRE Initiative