Much as Clinton caved on the issue of gays serving openly in the military, Obama undermined his flacid support of LGBT rights with his clear statement that “marriage is between a man and a woman”. Obama’s self-contradictory formal opposition to Proposition 8 didn’t discourage the Yes on 8 campaign. They proudly pictured Obama along with McCain on their advertisements, the two candidates united in support of traditional marriage.

Of course, Obama’s lack of conviction on same-sex marriage has been no worse than his running mate’s, or for that matter, the Democratic Party’s cowardice. But Obama has become the undisputed leader of his Party and an inspiration to all Americans who hope to see the nation make a change for the better. If Obama himself won’t muster up the courage to confront discrimination against LGBT folks, how can anyone expect any more support from Democrats as a whole? Is it not clear that it’s an issue that Obama has declared “off the table”?

Moreover, Obama has become a powerful role-model for oppressed minorities in America. He has set an example for African Americans in particular, whom exit poles indicated as voting over 70% in favor of Proposition 8, on how to vote homophobically while maintaining a clear conscience. In Obama’s America, ethnic minorities have finally won acceptance into the highest reaches of mainstream society, but LGBT people remain firmly shut out.

As many have pointed out, the core source of anti-gay bigotry lies at the heart of the Christian and Mormon church, and its hateful message cuts a wide resonant swath across American ethnic communities. Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics have all bought into Christian propaganda and share responsibility for its virulent homophobia.

However, as a prominent Christian, it is Obama who now leads the way for those who seek to block the acceptance of LGBT people in mainstream society. He has shown them how and where to draw the line that keeps us shut out, while betraying absolutely no animosity or prejudice against us personally. It is exactly the balance of benign neglect that homophobic Christian America can unite around.

This is truly Obama’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” issue, and it is he who has the opportunity to break the stalemate. But until Obama does some genuine soul-searching on his commitment to social justice, nothing that he says is going to make any difference at all.