President Obama honored longtime LGBT advocates and the 40th anniversary of Stonewall at a White House ceremony yesterday, and delivered remarks that reaffirmed his administration’s efforts to achieve full equality for gays.
Some advocates and bloggers saw the reception as a merely palliative measure after the administration last month defended the Defense of Marriage Act in a Supreme Court brief with insulting language, followed by a Democratic National Committee fundraiser seeking money from top LGBT donors. Some boycotted the event on principle.
Others did attend and heard the president speak about his desire to repeal both DOMA and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).
“Even as we face extraordinary challenges as a nation, we cannot—and will not—put aside issues of basic equality,” Obama said to a round of applause. “We seek an America in which no one feels the pain of discrimination based on who you are or who you love.”
He also noted that in six months his administration has begun the process of eliminating the ban on HIV-positive travelers entering the U.S.; signed a memorandum extending as many federal benefits as possible under current law to the partners of gay federal employees; urged Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, which would ensure LGBT couples receive federal benefits including health care; and supported ENDA and a federal hate crimes bill.
He also spoke out against DADT; perhaps in reponse to many activists’ belief that the administration is not moving fast enough to repeal it or put a moratorium on military discharges while it is under review.
Cathy Renna, actress Jennifer Beals and Renna's partner Leah McElrath.
(Photo courtesy of Renna Communications)
“I believe “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” doesn’t contribute to our national security. In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security. Now, my administration is already working with the Pentagon and members of the House and the Senate on how we’ll go about ending this policy, which will require an act of Congress.
“Someday, I’m confident, we’ll look back at this transition and ask why it generated such angst, but as Commander-in-Chief, in a time of war, I do have a responsibility to see that this change is administered in a practical way and a way that takes over the long term. That’s why I’ve asked the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan for how to thoroughly implement a repeal.”
