The Obama administration has advanced key gay issues, like ending 'don't ask, don't tell.' AP Photo
By JENNIFER EPSTEIN 10/1/11 8:33 PM EDT
President Barack Obama called for a “big America” in a speech to a major gay rights group Saturday but barely mentioned the biggest issue of all — the legalization of same-sex marriage.
“We believe in a big America, a tolerant America, a just America, an equal America,” Obama told the Human Rights Campaign’s annual dinner in Washington, where he advocated a society where people are respected, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“We don’t believe in a small America. We don’t believe in the kind of smallness that believes that a stage full of political leaders — one of whom could end up being president of the United States — being silent when an American is booed,” Obama said, referring to the jeers that came from the crowd at Republican presidential debate last month after a gay soldier asked a question from Iraq. A standing ovation continued even as he kept speaking.
“If you want to be commander-in-chief, you have to start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform even when it’s not politically convenient,” Obama said, echoing similar remarks he made earlier this week at a West Coast fundraiser.
The Obama administration has advanced key gay issues including bringing an end to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and the executive branch’s defense of the Defense of Marriage Act, while working to combat bullying in schools and enacting legislation against hate crimes.
“Many questioned whether we would succeed in repealing ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” but this administration was able to do it, Obama said.
Obama said he wants to see the Defense of Marriage Act “join ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in the history books,” or codified into law by Congress.
“So, yes, we have more work to do,” Obama said. “After so many years, even decades, of inaction, you’ve got every right to push against the slow pace of change. But make no mistake: I want people to feel encouraged that we are making change, we are making real and lasting change. … And I’m going to continue to fight alongside you.”
For years, Obama has backed civil unions and equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual couples, but has not voiced public support for same-sex marriage. He’s said that his “feelings are constantly evolving.”
Obama made little mention of the legalization of same-sex marriage, though he did herald progress on gay rights issues that has come from places other than the federal government.
“I am still hopeful because of the deeper shift that we’re seeing,” he said. “A transformation not only written into our law but woven into the progress of our society. It’s progress led not by Washington but by ordinary citizens who are propelled not just by politics but by love and friendship and a sense of mutual regard.
“It’s playing out in legislatures like New York, in courtrooms and in the ballot box,” he said. “But it’s also happening around water coolers, at the Thanksgiving table, on Facebook and Twitter, at PTA meetings and potluck dinners, and church socials and VFW halls.”
Kids who are being bullied in school should “know that the president and first lady [are] standing right by them every inch of the way,” Obama said to applause.
He got some laughs when he mentioned Lady Gaga, the pop star who is an anti-bullying advocate. “I took a trip out to California last week, where I had some productive bilateral talks with your leader, Lady Gaga. She was wearing 16-inch heels. She was eight feet tall. It was a little intimidating,” he said.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/64898.html#ixzz1ZaEdmprX
By JENNIFER EPSTEIN 10/1/11 8:33 PM EDT
President Barack Obama called for a “big America” in a speech to a major gay rights group Saturday but barely mentioned the biggest issue of all — the legalization of same-sex marriage.
“We believe in a big America, a tolerant America, a just America, an equal America,” Obama told the Human Rights Campaign’s annual dinner in Washington, where he advocated a society where people are respected, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“We don’t believe in a small America. We don’t believe in the kind of smallness that believes that a stage full of political leaders — one of whom could end up being president of the United States — being silent when an American is booed,” Obama said, referring to the jeers that came from the crowd at Republican presidential debate last month after a gay soldier asked a question from Iraq. A standing ovation continued even as he kept speaking.
“If you want to be commander-in-chief, you have to start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform even when it’s not politically convenient,” Obama said, echoing similar remarks he made earlier this week at a West Coast fundraiser.
The Obama administration has advanced key gay issues including bringing an end to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and the executive branch’s defense of the Defense of Marriage Act, while working to combat bullying in schools and enacting legislation against hate crimes.
“Many questioned whether we would succeed in repealing ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” but this administration was able to do it, Obama said.
Obama said he wants to see the Defense of Marriage Act “join ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in the history books,” or codified into law by Congress.
“So, yes, we have more work to do,” Obama said. “After so many years, even decades, of inaction, you’ve got every right to push against the slow pace of change. But make no mistake: I want people to feel encouraged that we are making change, we are making real and lasting change. … And I’m going to continue to fight alongside you.”
For years, Obama has backed civil unions and equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual couples, but has not voiced public support for same-sex marriage. He’s said that his “feelings are constantly evolving.”
Obama made little mention of the legalization of same-sex marriage, though he did herald progress on gay rights issues that has come from places other than the federal government.
“I am still hopeful because of the deeper shift that we’re seeing,” he said. “A transformation not only written into our law but woven into the progress of our society. It’s progress led not by Washington but by ordinary citizens who are propelled not just by politics but by love and friendship and a sense of mutual regard.
“It’s playing out in legislatures like New York, in courtrooms and in the ballot box,” he said. “But it’s also happening around water coolers, at the Thanksgiving table, on Facebook and Twitter, at PTA meetings and potluck dinners, and church socials and VFW halls.”
Kids who are being bullied in school should “know that the president and first lady [are] standing right by them every inch of the way,” Obama said to applause.
He got some laughs when he mentioned Lady Gaga, the pop star who is an anti-bullying advocate. “I took a trip out to California last week, where I had some productive bilateral talks with your leader, Lady Gaga. She was wearing 16-inch heels. She was eight feet tall. It was a little intimidating,” he said.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/64898.html#ixzz1ZaEdmprX
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