President Barack Obama, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, commemorated the 40th anniversary of Stonewall with a 20-minute speech on LGBT rights and progress, acknowledging his administration’s promise to work toward equality for all, according to
Advocate.com. After acknowledging people in the crowd, Obama kicked off with a powerful acknowledgement that lesbian and gay families face obstacles in the battle for equal rights.
“Now this struggle, I don't need to tell you, is incredibly difficult, although I think it's important to consider the extraordinary progress that we have made. There are unjust laws to overturn and unfair practices to stop. And though we've made progress, there are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes; who fail to see your families like their families; and who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted. And I know this is painful and I know it can be heartbreaking.”
The President also acknowledged that he made campaign promises to the LGBT community saying, “I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps.”
Regarding DOMA, that nasty little legislation that prohibits same-sex couples from marrying, Obama said he would call on Congress to repeal the “so-called” Defense of Marriage Act.
Although, regarding the recent Justice Department brief on DOMA, Obama said, “I want to add, we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty and upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law.”
Another hot-button topic over which the gay community has taken Obama to task is the military’s prejudicial ban on gays in the military. He said of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,
“In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security. Now, my administration is already working with the Pentagon and members of the House and the Senate on how we'll go about ending this policy, which will require an act of Congress.”
He said that a lack of resolution to the ban brings “deep disappointment” to those who continue to be discharged. But he dismissed the idea of issuing an executive order to suspend the ban until Congress overturns the ban.
For a full transcript of Obama’s speech go to
Advocate.com.
