A blog for LGBT Americans who support the re-election of President Barack Obama.
This blog will cover LGBT issues throughout the 2012 presidential race, and recall the progress in LGBT rights during the Obama Administration.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
As a follow-up to the 7 most anti-gay U.S. Representatives, Think Progress has identified the 11 most pro-gay U.S. Representatives.
Note: Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) actually tied Barbara Lee for being most LGBT-supportive, but she is not a full voting member of Congress.
The Obama campaign’s latest video focuses on the President’s commitment to day rights. It’s called “Keeping His Word: Equality for LGBT Americans”
Video from BarackObamadotcom
How LGBT Americans benefit from the Affordable Care Act
In honor of the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional today, it’s worth remember how the law benefits LGBT Americans.
These seven Republicans have each sponsored at least five major anti-gay bills, resolutions and amendments in the House of Representatives.
President Obama wants to be your “Boyfriend”
From YouTube
LGBT Volunteer Conference Call with First Lady Michelle Obama this Wednesday
First Lady Michelle Obama will be holding a national conference call for LGBT volunteers this Wednesday (June 27) at 4:00pm Eastern time. The First Lady will talk about ways to support the President’s re-election.
Thanks to President Obama’s repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Defense Department is for the first time honoring its LGBT soldiers. The Pentagon will hold its first-ever LGBT Pride celebration on June 26, 2012, as seen in the above flyer circulating in the Department.
Earlier, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta recorded the Department’s first-ever LGBT Pride Video.
Vote in the White House's LGBT Video Challenge
In April, the White House Office of Public Engagement launched the LGBT Pride Month Champions of Change Video Challenge to explore the stories of unsung heroes and local leaders who are making an impact in their communities. A group of finalists will be featured as Champions of Change at an event at the White House in July.
More hospitals protect gay patients under President Obama's mandate
“An increasing number of U.S. hospitals have adopted policies that explicitly ban discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, according to a report to be released Tuesday.
An annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group, found that over 95 percent of more than 400 hospitals and clinics included sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policies and nearly 80 percent included gender identity in those policies. Additionally, more than 65 percent of inpatient hospitals had explicit policies granting equal visitation rights to same-sex couples and same-sex parents.
In 2010, President Obama mandated that nearly all hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners of gay men and lesbians, and new rules were subsequently issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last year, the Joint Commission, the largest accrediting organization for U.S. hospitals, also issued new standards specifically prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta records the Department’s first-ever LGBT Pride message, thanking LGBT soldiers for their service.
President Obama’s address to the LGBT Pride Reception at the White House June 15.
Video from WhiteHouse
AP: 5 reasons gay marriage losing streak may be over
According to Associated Press writer Mike Baker, there are 5 reasons why gay marriage proponents should be optimistic that the streak of state-wide votes against LGBT rights is over. Those reasons are:
- Washington State
- Republicans
- Polls
- Maine
- President Obama
Read more here.
LGBT Progress Under Obama: Civil Rights
LGBT Progress Under Obama: Civil Rights
- President Obama and Vice President Biden announced their support for same-sex marriage
- Declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA
- Proposed a 2013 federal budget for an economy built to last, including greater economic security for the LGBT community
- Stood against North Carolina’s Amendment 1, which would prohibit the state from recognizing same-sex relationships
- Launched the first-ever White House LGBT Conference series, working with the administration and local communities to address issues affecting LGBT Americans, including health, housing and homelessness, and safety
From BarackObama.com
LGBT Progress Under Obama: LGBT Families
LGBT Progress Under Obama: LGBT Families
- Clarified the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure family leave for LGBT employees
- Called for equal treatment of same-sex adoptive parents in his official proclamation for National Adoption Month
- Clarified the meaning of “family” to include LGBT relationships, helping protect bi-national families threatened by deportation
From BarackObama.com
