Obama leads a powerful rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ at Clementa Pinckney’s funeral (VIDEO)

President Barack Obama led the crowd at Rev. Clementa Pinckney’s funeral in a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace” Friday, reports The Huffington Post. At the end of his impassioned eulogy for Pinckney, one of the nine people shot and killed at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church last week, Obama broke into the hymn. “If…

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IDAHOT: Statement from the president

President Barack Obama made the following statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT): Michelle and I join our fellow Americans and others around the world in commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia tomorrow, May 17.  We take this opportunity to reaffirm that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are…

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World AIDS Day 2014: Presidential proclamation

Today, the White House issued the following proclamation signed by the president regarding World AIDS Day, 2014: In communities across our Nation and around the world, we have made extraordinary progress in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Just over three decades ago, when we knew only the devastation HIV inflicted, those living with it had…

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HRC urges Obama to take immediate action for LGBT Ugandans

WASHINGTON –– The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), has sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging his administration to take immediate steps to hold the Ugandan government accountable for the enactment of state-sponsored homophobia and transphobia earlier this year. Following Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signing into law the Anti-Homosexuality Act in February, the administration initiated…

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Presidential proclamation on LGBT Pride Month, 2014

Below is a proclamation signed by the president  regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2014: As progress spreads from State to State, as justice is delivered in the courtroom, and as more of our fellow Americans are treated with dignity and respect — our Nation becomes not only more accepting, but more equal as well. During Lesbian, Gay,…

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Obama nominates sixth openly gay diplomat as the next ambassador to Vietnam

President Barack Obama has nominated Ted Osius as the next ambassador to Vietnam, the White House has announced. If confirmed, Osius, who is openly gay and married to Clayton Bond, an officer with the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, would replace David Shear, who has held the position since 2011. Ted Osius, a career…

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Obama to name two openly LGBT individuals to AAPI Commission

President Barack Obama today announced his intention to appoint fourteen individuals to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), including two who are openly LGBT, reports HRC. Actor Maulik Pancholy, best known for his roles on 30 Rock and Weeds, and businessman Michael Byun, who also serves on the Ohio Governor’s…

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President Barack Obama endorses David Alvarez to be the next mayor of San Diego

Today President Barack Obama endorsed David Alvarez to be the next mayor of San Diego, applauding his focus on creating jobs and ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education. President Obama said, “As a native San Diegan, David Alvarez has been a fierce advocate for his city, and on the Council, has led…

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Jason Collins to sit with first lady at State of the Union address (VIDEO)

The White House has announced that openly gay NBA player Jason Collins will be seated in the box with the first lady, Dr. Biden and Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the president, at tomorrow’s State of the Union Address. While at Stanford, Jason Collins was selected as an All American, named the NCAA’s “Big Man of the…

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