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News & ArtsFriday, October 30, 2009
Homo Obama to Announce The End of the HIV Travel Ban Today
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 9:22 AM
It was legislation passed by the last Congress, and signed into law by George W. Bush, but it was the Obama administration that oversaw the final dismantling of the Helms-era ban on HIV-positive tourists and immigrants. And now it's history.
Congrats, Andrew.
Now all we're waiting for is action on DADT, DOMA, and ENDA.
4
damn i knew obama would come thru for the gays my friends said no even tho bush signed that law obama won't enforce it i said no! obama loves the gays he just is awkward at showing it this is a great day
10
Obama can congratulate himself on having taken this important step, but more important work remains to be done. Until then, he remains the country's highest ranking proponent of discrimination against gays and lesbians.
12
One down, three to go. I don't understand why this wasn't signed months ago but at least it is done now. I hope the rest will get done sooner rather than later. Keep your promises Obama!
15
@3: Yes, he is, and has had to go through lots of hoops to be able to travel to and from the US. This is very good news indeed.
16
Roscoe...
Not getting to it yet, because you have- oh, I don't know - 2 wars, an economic meltdown, ever growing medicare expenses that will eat the budget if it remains unchecked while the workers who support it can't get care, etc, just isn't the same thing as being an advocate for discrimination. Your remark was hyperbolic and unfair. Obama isn't a dictator. Don't ask, don't tell was legislated and has to be unlegislated by Congress and the Senate. Its that seperation of powers thing in the Constitution. A president doesn't and shouldn't have the power to undo legislation that has already been signed into law.
Not getting to it yet, because you have- oh, I don't know - 2 wars, an economic meltdown, ever growing medicare expenses that will eat the budget if it remains unchecked while the workers who support it can't get care, etc, just isn't the same thing as being an advocate for discrimination. Your remark was hyperbolic and unfair. Obama isn't a dictator. Don't ask, don't tell was legislated and has to be unlegislated by Congress and the Senate. Its that seperation of powers thing in the Constitution. A president doesn't and shouldn't have the power to undo legislation that has already been signed into law.
17
@16: However, a president does have and should use the power to propose legislation. A president also has a "bully pulpit." A president could say, for example, "Congress should act now to pass a bill repealing DOMA, and I will sign such a bill as soon as they pass it." Instead of, you know, allowing his Department of Justice to defend DOMA because queers marrying is as bad as incest.
18
Wow, I must be living in a bubble. I had no idea this law was on the books! What an idiotic policy...not only is it dehumanizing and pointless, it seems that it would also discourage people from learning their HIV status, no?
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