George W. Bush was sworn in as the 43rd President of the United States at noon on Jan. 20, 20001. It was neither the best of time for gays and lesbians, nor the worst. But rather a biding of one's time to see what the redefined political landscape would bring.
Bush's address spoke to the idealism of America. "The grandest of these ideas is an unfolding American promise: that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born."
"Americans are called to enact this promise in our lives and in our laws. And though our nation has sometimes halted and sometimes delayed, we must follow no other course." They were phrases of inclusion that all could hear with hope and anticipation.
Bush pledged, "I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it as well."
The New York Times wrote in an editorial, "If he governs in that spirit, Mr. Bush can lift the nation to a new era of inclusion and social justice."
For many gays and lesbians, the most encouraging moment came a bit earlier when Richard Cheney was sworn in as Vice President. His two daughters held the Bible on which he took the oath of office. Mary, an open lesbian, was front and center in the official photographs and throughout the day's events. Little was made of the fact, either positive or negative, and that perhaps was cause for celebration.
Mary Cheney's presence likely will inhibit gratuitous political attacks upon gays and lesbians by the far right. Her father has indicated that he takes such attacks personally. The 50-50 partisan division in the Senate means that Cheney will play a more active role in that body than have most Vice Presidents. He also will have an office in the House, a first for a veep.
Perhaps the most important appointment for gays and lesbians has been that of Mary Matalin as counselor to Cheney and liaison between that office and the President. The media savvy Matalin has strong Republican credentials and personal ties to both Bush and Cheney. She has been a forceful advocate for inclusion of gays within the party, and likely will be a key, if unofficial, liaison to the community.
Lower level cabinet and other political appointments will trickle out over the coming weeks. It is likely that some will be openly gay, though don't expect the Bush administration to trumpet a count of such appointments. That is not the way they keep score.
Eight years ago, euphoria surrounded Bill Clinton's first inauguration and the role that gays played in his election. That bubble of unreality quickly burst with the debate over gays in the military. And even after seven years of access, gay and lesbian concerns were included in major government policy documents, such as the health plan "Healthy People 2010," only after a concerted struggle to assure that they were addressed.
Bush's inauguration was marked by a day of protests. Along the route to the inauguration, Bush faced picketers during the biggest inauguration protests since 1973's "Day of Resistance" against Nixon's re-election, reported ABC.com
Thousands of protesters chanted and held signs such as "Hail to the Thief," and "Gore Majority." "More than a dozen law enforcement agencies seeking to avoid a repeat of last spring's violent world trade protests greeted demonstrators with about 7,000 officers, miles of steel fencing and checkpoints," ABC said.
In a swift move to the right, Bush said on Monday he will quickly bar federal aid to international family-planning groups that support abortion, Reuters reported. His announcement came just as the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade was being marked around the country.
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