LGBT activists gathered at the White House Thursday for President Obama’s eighth Pride reception. In remarks given by the president at the reception he talked about his administration’s efforts to expand rights to LGBT Americans. “Every brave American who came out and spoke out, especially when it was tough. Because of them, because of all of you, there’s a lot to be proud of today,” the president began.
Obama noted that don’t ask, don’t tell no longer existed – “Because no one should have to hide who they love in order to serve the country that they love.” He made reference to the hate crimes laws and hospital visiting hours: “We live in an America that protects all of us with a hate crimes law that bears the name of Matthew Shepard. We live in an America where all of us are treated more equally, because visiting hours in hospitals no longer depend on who you are and insurance companies can no longer turn somebody away simply because of who you love.”
Obama described Edith Windsor,who successfully challenged the Defense of Marriage Act, and James Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court marriage equality case as heroes.
Obama acknowledged that change can sometimes be slow but that change is possible and he recognized the work ahead: “We still have more work to do when gay and bisexual men make up two-thirds of new HIV cases in our country. We have to work hard to make sure that jobs are not being denied, people aren’t being fired because of their sexual orientation. We still have work to do when transgender persons are attacked, even killed for just being who they are. We’ve got work to do when LGBT people around the world still face incredible isolation and poverty and persecution and violence, and even death. We have work to make sure that every single child, no matter who they are or where they come from or what they look like or how they live, feels welcomed and valued and loved.
