Pie-In-The-Sky for Presidency?

Obstacles face out candidates for top office
Previously published on Advocate





















Four years ago, few voters outside Illinois knew who Barack Obama was, let alone imagined that a virtual newcomer like him could be poised to become the nation’s first African-American president. Yet, today, Obama’s historic and swift ascent toward the ultimate political prize now raises interest in another unprecedented scenario: When -- and under what circumstances -- might an openly gay person move into the Oval Office?

Although some see the candidacy of likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama as a hopeful sign that an LGBT candidate eventually could make a credible White House run, several key obstacles are in the way of there being an out presidential contender. They include the need to lift the gay military ban and to pass a workplace nondiscrimination law inclusive of LGBT workers, as well as the challenge of seeing out leaders elected or appointed to statewide or national roles that are "the usual launching pads for the White House.