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Inaugural reaction: Advocacy groups hail Obama’s call for LGBT equality

Inaugural reaction: Advocacy groups hail Obama’s call for LGBT equality

LGBT advocacy groups on Monday hailed President Barack Obama’s historic call for LGBT equality, becoming the first American president to include his support for marriage equality as part of his inaugural address.

President Barack Obama gestures as he gives his inauguration address during a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013  on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington.  (AP Photo/Win McNamee, Pool)
President Barack Obama delivers his inauguration address on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington.
Photo by Win McNamee, Pool (via AP)

Obama, who has become increasingly outspoken in favor of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage, said the nation’s journey is not complete “until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

Human Rights Campaign

“By lifting up the lives of LGBT families for the very first time in an inaugural address, President Obama sent a clear message to LGBT young people from the Gulf Coast to the Rocky Mountains that this country’s leaders will fight for them until equality is the law of the land,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.

“As the merits of marriage equality come up for debate from state houses to the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, and a broad majority of Americans are standing up for liberty and fairness, the President’s unequivocal support for equality is a clarion call that all Americans should receive with celebration.

“We were honored that the President included Stonewall among the historic events in American history that have made our union stronger. Its inclusion is testament to the valiant contributions of LGBT Americans past and present who seek nothing more than to be treated equally by the country they love.”

Outserve-SLDN

“Today, President Obama made history with a clear and passionate declaration of the fundamental rights of LGBT Americans, and all Americans,” said Allyson Robinson, OutServe-SLDN Executive Director.

“We honor the work of his first term – especially his leadership in the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ – and expect great progress over the next four years on the very real inequalities that exist for our LGBT service members, veterans, and their families as we work together to bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice,” she said.

OutServe-SLDN is an association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

“President Obama is the most pro-LGBT president in American history. His first term was filled with monumental gains for LGBT people and our families, including the passage of a federal hate crimes law, repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and his declaration of support for the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. These next four years hold great promise for continuing progress in ensuring that LGBT people are fully recognized and valued as part of this country’s strength, spirit and solution,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

“We congratulate President Obama and his administration and look forward to working with them in this second term to build a stronger future for LGBT people and opportunity for all.”

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