Stonewall Democrats applaud President Obama for his inclusive and obviously heartfelt remarks at the centenial celebration of the NAACP. The President's acknowledgment of persistent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans alongside racism, sexism and religious persecution was stiking, and worthy of commendation by LGBT and allied Democrats.
"Stonewall Democrats have been encouraged by the growing momentum for pro-equality legislation," said Jon Hoadley, Executive Director of National Stonewall Democrats. "President Obama's condemnation of the discrimination faced by gay and lesbian Americans at the NAACP celebration was a great step in the right direction and demostrates the importance he places on equality, but we look forward to seeing him and the rest of the Democratic leadership take strong, measurable actions on the issues of importance to LGBT and allied Democrats: hate crimes legislation, employee non-discrimination legislation, and a legislative repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "
In the applicable section of the speech (which starts at 10:30 in the video above) President Obama called for an end to all forms of discrimination:
The first thing we need to do is to make real the words of the NAACP charter, and eradicate prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination among citizens of the United States. I understand there may be a temptation among some to think that discrimination is no longer a problem in 2009. And I believe that overall there probably is never been less discrimination in America than there is today. I think we can say that. But make no mistake. The pain of discrimination is still felt in America. By AA women paid less for doing the same work as colleagues of a different color and a different gender. By Latinos made to feel unwelcome in their own country. By Muslim-Americans viewed with suspicion simply bc they kneel down to pray to their God. And by our gay brothers and sisters still taunted, still attacked, still denied their rights. [APPLAUSE]. On the 45th of the Civil Rights Act, discrimination cannot stand. Not on account of color, or gender, how you worship, or who you love. Prejudice has no place in the United States of America. That is what the NAACP stands for. That is what the NAACP will continue to fight for, as long as it takes.
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