Monday, June 29, 2009

Obamas Celebrate LGBT Pride Month at White House

The Obamas hosted a reception at the White House for LGBT Pride Month. About 300 people were supposed to attend, many very skeptical about Obama's stance on gay issues.
Obama made a proclamation on LGBT Pride month here.
Obama reaffirms that he plans to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell (full video):

Transcript here:
Welcome to your White House.

(APPLAUSE)

(UNKNOWN): (OFF-MIKE) OBAMA: Somebody’s asking for the Lincoln Bedroom here. What -- you knew he’s from Chicago, too.

(LAUGHTER)

It’s good to see so many friends and familiar faces. And I deeply appreciate the support I’ve received from so many of you. Michelle appreciates it, and I want you to know that you have our support, as well.

And...

(APPLAUSE)

You have my thanks for the work you do every day in pursuit of equality on behalf of the millions of people in this country who work hard and care about their communities and who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

(APPLAUSE)

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.

And yet all of you continue, leading by the force of the arguments you make, but also by the power of the example that you set in your own lives, as parents and friends, as PTA members and leaders in the community, and that’s important. And I’m glad that so many LGBT families could join us today for...

(APPLAUSE)

... for we know that progress depends not only on changing laws, but also changing hearts and that real, transformative change never begins in Washington.

(CELL PHONE RINGS)

Whose -- whose -- whose duck back there?

M. OBAMA: It’s a duck.

B. OBAMA: There’s a duck quacking in there somewhere.
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