National Fatherhood Tour

President Obama has just launched a National Fatherhood Tour, led by 27-year-old Pentecostal pastor Joshua DuBois, head of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. DuBois (who is not a father himself) explains to NPR: “[Obama] grew up without a dad in his own home, but he also saw the impact of father absence when he was working in Chicago, so he started this national conversation about responsible fatherhood.”

NPR points out that this is a particularly big issue for African American families. Obama is in a tremendous position from which to create positive change here.  DuBois adds, however, “This is about kids who are growing up without responsible role models in their families and that is for all American families regardless of their background.”

Not a bad thing. The risk, of course, is that some will take this message and use it to revive the old saw that “children need a mother and a father, ergo same-sex parents aren’t as good or appropriate as opposite-sex ones.

Yes, if a child has a father who is supposed to be involved, by virtue of a prior understanding with the child’s mother(s), then yes, he should be, assuming he doesn’t fall into one of the small categories of people who should be kept far away from children. That’s not to say, however, that all children of lesbians (or of bi women parenting with other women) need to have a father. Male role models are great, and encouraged, but they can be found in many places.

Let’s hope the Fatherhood Tour stays on track, then, and doesn’t lead to anti-LGBT sentiments.

Of course, if the Obama administration is serious about responsible parenting, it should also be doing more to help the LGBT parents who want to take on the legal responsibilities of parenthood but are prevented from doing so by law. (Yes, I know many of those are state laws, but still, a little federal influence couldn’t hurt.) It should also repeal DOMA and offer federal benefits to same-sex couples in legally recognized relationships so we don’t suffer from the legal and financial disadvantages that impact our children, if we have them. Inviting us to the Egg Roll is all well and good, but it’s only a start.