The progress of the LGBT community during the last five years, which also coincides with the election of President Obama, is unprecedented. While the so-called Arab Spring was a series of civil protests in Arab countries that led to the ouster of many Arab leaders, our LGBT Spring is kinder, gentler and quite effective. While…
Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni signed a law imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality today, defying protests from rights groups, criticism from Western donors and a U.S. warning that it will complicate relations. Reuters reported that the new bill strengthened existing punishments for anyone caught having gay sex, imposing jail terms of up to life for “aggravated…
President Obama has condemned the decision by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to sign an archaic anti-gay bill into law. The bill, which once even included the death penalty, calls for gay Ugandans or anyone “promoting” homosexuality to be jailed – potentially for life. Museveni made the decision to sign the bill after consulting with a…
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…
WASHINGTON – A new report from the Human Rights Campaign shows that President Obama’s unprecedented usage of words including “lesbian,” “gay,” “bisexual” and “transgender” in his public statements is contributing immensely to the political mainstreaming of LGBT people and marriage equality within American society. The report, which also examines the public statements of former Presidents George…
From Media Matters For America comes their latest post responding to Pat Buchanan urging President Obama to visit Russia, in part, to atone for those who have been “stiffing” President Vladimir Putin due to his oppression of gay people. Echoing his earlier praise for the Russian president, conservative commentator Pat Buchanan urged President Barack Obama…
In an exclusive interview, tennis legend Billie Jean King told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour she “thrilled” to represent the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. “I’m very proud to go as an athlete, and as a gay woman,” she said. “I’m thrilled.” Asked by Amanpour if there will be any protests, King said…
SOUTH AFRICA – Nelson Mandela was lauded as a “giant of history” and “one of the greatest leaders of our time” as tens of thousands cheered and almost 100 world leaders paid tribute to the anti-apartheid icon at a memorial service today. President Barack Obama, addressing the 95,000 capacity crowd in the First National Bank…
Nelson Mandela, who died yesterday was South Africa’s first post-Apartheid president, and an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality. He appointed an openly-gay judge to South Africa’s High Court of Appeal and during his presidency, South Africa became the first nation in the world to constitutionally prohibit sexual orientation-based discrimination. Mandela will be remembered for his…
Today, President Barack Obama signed the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act into law. Authored by Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, the HOPE Act creates a science-based path for medical research to proceed on the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of organ transplants between HIV-positive patients. The HOPE Act replaces an outdated policy banning HIV-positive organs from…
