An article in today’s Red & Black offers up some stern criticism of Obama for his slow motion on same-sex marriage.

Columnist Max Marceau blasted Obama for supporting civil unions over marriages for gay and lesbian couples. Marceau also criticizes citizens – gay and straight – for not “taking to the streets” in defense of equal rights, not “similar rights.”

Here’s what he has to say:

His promises are great. His speeches are even better. But President Barack Obama’s flip-flopping stance on gay rights leaves me doubtful of his promises for equality.

Homosexuals do not have the same rights as other Americans, plain and simple. And that means America is not an entirely free nation. And that, in turn, means everyone – straight as well as gay – should be taking to the streets.

Why? Because when you deprive someone of equal rights based on who they are – race, gender, sexual orientation – you create an unbalanced society, one that is not fair or free.

As a gay rights activist, I’ve followed closely Obama’s stance on gay rights, curious about what changes he will make as president.

As a senator, Obama strongly supported gay marriage. He is quoted in the Windy City Times as saying: “I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.”

“Fight,” for legalizing same-sex marriage? A bold promise to make. Yet, as president, he has made his opposition to gay marriage clear.

For example, his administration voted in favor of the Marriage Defense Act – prohibiting same-sex marriage.

Obama claims his Christianity is no reason for opposing gay marriage. But his actual statements say the opposite: “I try not to have my religious beliefs determine my political views on this issue [gay marriage]. I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.”

His religion doesn’t have a swaying influence?

Though he does not support gay marriage, Obama does support civil unions for same-sex couples that offer rights and protections similar to those offered by marriage.

This is what really gets me. Since when was America, founded on the principle of freedom, about offering similar rights?

Unlike marriage, civil unions are not recognized by the federal government, so same-sex couples would not receive the same tax breaks and protections heterosexual couples do.

There are over 1,000 benefits and protections available to married couples, including survivor benefits through Social Security, obtaining family health insurance through an employer, hospital visits to a sick spouse. Many of these are exempt from civil unions.

Why are these rights and protections for gays just “similar,” and not equal?

Continue reading … here.