Obama Appoints Gay Man to Faith-Based Initiatives Office

Posted by Ali Frick, Think Progress at 8:59 AM on February 7, 2009.

A few days ago ThinkProgress noted that President Obama was stalling in overturning Bush's rule that allowed religious groups to discriminate -- usually against gay people -- in their hiring. Yesterday, Obama made an important gesture in naming Fred Davie, the openly gay president of Public/Private Ventures, to serve on on the policy council of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Speaking about his hopes for the Office yesterday at the National Prayer Breakfast, Obama emphasized the importance of reaching out to "foster a more productive and peaceful dialogue on faith":

I don't expect divisions to disappear overnight, nor do I believe that long-held views and conflicts will suddenly vanish. But I do believe that if we can talk to one another openly and honestly, then perhaps old rifts will start to mend and new partnerships will begin to emerge. In a world that grows smaller by the day, perhaps we can begin to crowd out the destructive forces of zealotry and make room for the healing power of understanding.

(HT: Huffington Post)

Tagged as: gay, obama, faith, lgbt rights, fred davie

Ali Frick is a Research Associate for The Progress Report and ThinkProgress.org at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.