President Obama is doing his best to advance equality for LGBT Americans. It's up to us to hold Democrats in Congress accountable to deliver pro-equality legislation to the President for his signature.
Obama Administration's Commitment to the LGBT Community
As presented to Stonewall Democrats by the Democratic National Committee
"So we are all witnesses to monumental changes in this country. That should give us hope, but we cannot rest. We must continue to do our part to make progress -- step by step, law by law, mind by changing mind. And I want you to know that in this task I will not only be your friend, I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a President who fights with you and for you." - President Barack Obama, June 2009
In their first months in office, the Obama Administration has:
- Reversed an inexcusable US position by signing the UN Declaration on Gay Rights
- Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees
- Hired and appointed a record number of qualified LGBT Americans, including over 10 Senate confirmed appointments
- Worked with the State Department to lift the HIV Entry Ban by the end of 2009
- Endorsed the Baldwin-Lieberman bill, The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations
- Act of 2009, to provide domestic partnership benefits to federal employees
- Called for the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act
- Hosted the first LGBT Pride Month Celebration in White House history
- Released the first Presidential PRIDE proclamation since 2000
- Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King
- Appointed six new LGBT DNC Members, including the first transgender DNC member in history
- Eliminated the Census Bureau policy that keeps same-sex marriages from being counted
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Revised State Department regulations to allow equal treatment and support services for same-sex partners of foreign service workers stationed
abroad
In the coming months this Administration will continue to:
- Work with Congress to pass an inclusive Hate Crimes bill
- Put in place a national HIV/AIDS strategy
- Work to ensure the Census provides a fair and accurate count of all Americans, including LGBT couples
- Engage with the Department of Defense to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
- Work to ensure the long-overdue passage of an inclusive ENDA
