WASHINGTON — President Obama once again brought up the issue of gays in the military during his annual State of the Union address tonight.
Last year, he called for repeal of the federal law barring openly gay people from serving. This year, just a month after having signed a bill to repeal that law, the president urged universities which have barred military recruiters over the gay ban now allow recruiters back on campus.
“Our troops come from every corner of this country – they are black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American. They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim. And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love.”
That drew applause.
“And with that change,” continued Obama, “I call on all of our college campuses to open their doors to our military recruiters and the ROTC. It is time to leave behind the divisive battles of the past. It is time to move forward as one nation.”
That drew a brief standing ovation.
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese welcomed President Obama’s words concerning the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but added that “there remain a number of pressing issues for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community when it comes to economic security.”
“The President and Congress can do much more to ensure the economic empowerment of LGBT people including ending the unfair taxation of partner health benefits, prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and ensuring that all married couples have access to the same federal benefits and protections for their families,” said Solmonese, in a statement released before the president delivered his address to Congress. “We look forward to working with this President and allies in Congress on the challenges ahead.”
But Robin McGehee, director of the activist group GetEQUAL, expressed disappointment.
“Tonight, President Obama missed an opportunity to lay out an agenda and strategy that continues progress made toward LGBT equality — removing the burden of being second-class citizens and acknowledging our families,” said McGehee, in a statement.
“Sadly, while national hero Daniel Hernandez sat with the First Lady to witness this historic speech, he did not have the luxury of sitting there as an equal — for that, our elected officials should be ashamed. It is time for the President to put the power of the White House behind the passage of legislation that would give the right of full federal equality to LGBT Americans,” McGehee said. “As a community, it is our promise and our obligation to continue the work of holding both the President and Congress accountable for the inalienable human rights, dignities, and freedoms we all deserve.”
He did not, as some LGBT activists had urged, set a new goal for Congress — repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
President Obama did include an openly gay man as one of his special guests in the House visitors’ gallery Tuesday night.
The man was Daniel Hernandez Jr., who was singled out by many news accounts as one of the heroes to take action during the January 8 shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson. Hernandez, who was serving as an intern in Giffords’ Tucson office, rushed to her side and provided first aid that many have said saved the Congresswoman’s life.
A number of Twitter messages from various people noted that Tuesday was also Hernandez’s 21st birthday. One Twitter message was from the account of Rep. Giffords, saying: “From the entire Giffords team: Happy 21st Birthday Daniel Hernandez! Sounds like you have fun plans tonight :)”
CNN indicated it was the first Twitter message from Rep. Giffords’ account since she was critically injured in a shooting January 8. Giffords is still recovering from her wounds and is at a rehabilitation hospital in Texas.
Cameras scanning the gallery showed Hernandez early during the broadcast of the State of the Union. But Hernandez appeared to be standing near the back of the gallery, not seated near First Lady Michelle Obama, as expected.
In response to concerns about the hostile political environment, many members of Congress eschewed the usual seating arrangement of Republicans on one side and Democrats on the other, and sat together.
Three of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices chose not to take seats at all and did not attend the State of the Union address. They were the three most conservative — Justices Antonin Scalia, Sam Alito, and Clarence Thomas.
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) delivered the Republican Party’s “Response to the State of the Union.” He limited his remarks to economic issues.
In case you missed it, you can watch the full State of the Union address here:
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Well at least he said something.
Thats sad he should say more like ugh when we get the same rights as straight couples this makes me sick to think that we arent taking seriously smdh
At least he said something!
Li’ more + than past presidents
He had a lot to cover. And although he mentioned it briefly, he did so beautifully.
Though he could always address the LGBTQ community a tad more, he’s trying to cater to both parties. If he went out and started talking for a long time on gay rights, many opposing parties would immediately shut him out. I do believe success and progression need to come slow, so as to ease the opposing side into supporting equality. If we try to rush it, they will shut us supporters of equality out. I am very happy about how he addressed LGBTQ rights. One step at a time.
I agree with Caitlin!
Ug, come on people. We won that fight. Lets let him do one or two of the other thousand things he needs to do before getting back to us.
He made a good speech, as far as speeches go. But seriously speaking, it makes no sense. He really should have said a lot more.
Quit your bitchin’! Seriously!!! :) It was HUGE to tell the MILITARY, some of the toughest and most narrow minded people in the country, that, in fact, they can not and WILL not make gay people have to hide who they are anymore. And I believe he had a standing ovation from the statement. IT’S GREAT!!!
RATHER BRIEF OR NOT,
WE KNOW WHAT OUR PRESIDENTS’ ADMINISTRATION DID FOR THE COMMUNITY ,.,.
F I N A L L Y ..
OUR PRESIDENT ROCKS !!
He gave the leftist progressives what they want…Government approval and baseline for enforcement of a lifestyle and sexual preference and choice. No Gay gene, no inateness and millions who have left homosexuality yet we will undermine our military to accomodate the less than 3% who proclaim it. You need to admit…freedom of religion is your necxt target….because after all, everyone who believes gay is sin should be in jail…right?
“…some of the toughest and narrowminded” really…and how would you know. because they disagree with you? Because they live in a benevolent dictatorship used to support a republic where you can be free to live as you please yet disparage them because of what they know is and is not compatable with military service? Oh…you’re so open minded
So much for our fierce advocate.
BTW, he is still defending DOMA, he still does not support marriage equality personally or otherwise, and, even though he is the C&C of all the Armed Services, the actual repeal of DADT is stalled.
“we won that fight”…and allowed any and all methods along the way. I would call that selling ones soul for the purpose of peersonal gain. Your preference in sexual choice is not the basis of upending any organization but you have succeeded with emotion and in the courts all for a choice. Nice! What a “win!”
You have all rights and then some. But I regret that your idea of what are and are not rigfhts are more along the lines of “we demand” and not rights at all. Is education a right? Is employment a right? Are you going to say this is an issue about civil rights? Gays serve in the military. they have the right. The issue to serve openly when incompatable with military service is your gripe.
Why can’t people just celebrate for a little bit? C’mon. This is groundbreaking shit here — YEARS in the making. He’s one of the most progressive men we’ve ever had in office, and quite frankly I’m sick of hearing all of this “betrayer” bull.
You have marriage equality…simply marrying a person of the same sex is not recognized as it should not be. You also know full well that you have every legal instrument to have will, rights of medical say for your loved one and more through legal documents. The demand for recognized gay marriage is for forced approval…you could at least be honest.
I think it’s great that he brought up, if briefly, a gay issue in the state of the union speech. After all, most of the oppression directed towards us has been in the form of silence; not acknowledging us at all. I think it’s a big step that he recognizes we exist …
That being said, there’s still so far we have to go and no one is going to give us our equality or even our basic human rights on a silver platter. We will have to fight for every single issue that brings us closer to equality. Because while people are being bullied, abused and even killed because of their sexuality, while couples are denied hospital visitation rights, while we do not even have the right to marry and reap all the social and economic benefits that that brings; in short, while we are still second- class citizens- then there is still a lot of work to do.
Robin McGehee (from the now defunct GetEqual) says he “missed an opportunity to lay out a strategy?” How ironic.