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"I will end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. That is my commitment to you," President Obama Tells Gay Rights Dinner

Submitted by BuzzFlash on Sat, 10/10/2009 - 9:09pm.

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Statement by Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese
President Obama Addresses LGBT Community at Human Rights Campaign 13th Annual National Dinner on Saturday, October 10

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released the following statement tonight after President Barack Obama spoke at the 13th Annual National Dinner.

"Tonight, President Obama told LGBT Americans that his commitment to ending discrimination in the military, in the workplace and for loving couples and their families is 'unwavering.' He made it crystal clear that he is our strongest ally in this fight, that he understands and, in fact, encourages our activism and our voice even when we’re impatient with the pace of change. But these remarks weren’t just for us, they were directed to all Americans who share his dream and ours of a country where “no one is denied their basic rights, in which all of us are free to live and love as we see fit.”

"And we heard unequivocally about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: 'I am working with the Pentagon, its leadership and members of the House and Senate to end this policy. I will end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. That is my commitment to you.'

"Finally, we heard something quite remarkable from the President: 'You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.'

"This was a historic night when we felt the full embrace and commitment of the President of the United States. It’s simply unprecedented.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

until this event I was fairly unfamiliar with HRC.

Submitted by daphne chyprious on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 8:56pm.

But having read numerous accounts of its behavior, including reading the widely distributed letter from the head guy, I do agree it is a sell-out organization, trading aggressiveness for access. "By January 19, 2017," indeed.

HRC should be ashamed of themselves

Submitted by Blairtim on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 8:32am.

"This was a historic night when we felt the full embrace and commitment of the President of the United States. It’s simply unprecedented."

What is historic and unprecedented about being lied to by a politician?

He promised to end DADT within his first month. Instead his Justice Department sent letters defending DADT and DOMA. Not only are they defending the laws, which they don't have to, the wording was insulting and degrading.

Now HRC is telling us we need to wait until the end of his second term!?!. Who's side are you on?

Don't ask me "When".. I can't tell you "When"

Submitted by verite on Sun, 10/11/2009 - 7:37am.

"Its important to be honest among friends.."

So its OK to lie to enemies?

Just asking. who on earth writes his stuff?

Don't Ask Me "When".. I can't tell you "When"

Submitted by hypatiab7 on Sun, 10/11/2009 - 12:20pm.

What is your problem? President Obama has made a committment. If you

expect him to be able to repair all the damage done by Bush and Reagan

in one year, you are crazy. By the end of 2010, he will have made great

strides.

And, what enemies are you talking about? Gays are people like everyone

else. They are entitled to the same rights as every other American. The

religious fanatics who would take over our personal lives in every way

here and all over the world - they are the enemies.

hypatiab7

what about Clinton

Submitted by Blairtim on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 8:38am.

You forgot to add Clinton to the list of people we have to recover from.

Clinton created DOMA and DADT.

Clinton has done more damage than both Bushes put together.

Reagan was the worst with ignoring 62,000 Americans dying of a horrible virus.

I will vote for a Dem over a Rep any day, but I am not foolish enough to believe they care about my civil rights. They only care about my vote.

LOL!

Submitted by Yman on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:06am.

In what alternate reality has "Clinton done more damage than both Bushes put together"? I oppose DOMA and DADT, but Clinton signed DADT as a (flawed) compromise when his attempts to totally repeal the ban threatened to derail his entire agenda early in his first term. It was opposed by the Pentagon, Congress and the public, yet he tried to do it and paid a heavy political price in doing so. Obama, on the other hand, has the support of the military and the public, who both support a full repeal of the ban, yet he still does nothing.

In terms of the Bushes, your claim is beyond ridiculous. GWB pushed a Federal Marriage Amendment banning gay marriage and opposing any recognition of gay couples' rights. He opposed a bill to add sexual orientation to the federal hate crimes laws, threatening a veto of the Matthew Shepard Act. At least his father didn't (to my recollection) push an actively anti-gay agenda, but I can't find a single pro-gay rights act by GHWB. If you know of any, why not post them? As opposed to say, Clinton, who signed an executive order banning discrimination against homosexuals in federal employment. He ordered the DOJ to vigorously prosecute anyone discriminationg against people with AIDS, which lead to actions against health care providers and facilities. He was the first POTUS to appoint an openly gay person to an administration post, nominating over 150 openly gay appointees. He supported including sexual orientation in federal hate-crimes laws.

"More damage"?

Too funny.

I agree

Submitted by Blairtim on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:02am.

I wrote to quick not remembering some of the good Clinton has done for our community.

DOMA and DADT do have his signature.

It is frustrating to hear Democrats telling us to wait for our civil rights, and even more frustrating to have the head of our DC lobbying group tell us how wonderful things will be in 2017. Why should we wait quietly for the democrats to move on our civil rights?

The head of HRC, Joe Solmonese, needs to go. HRC has got to be the least effective lobby group in DC.

Of COURSE They Expect Obama To Have Fixed EVERYTHING Right Off!

Submitted by drprodny on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 1:18am.

Don't you read the bogus "progressive" closet racist whingers like epppie, nasrudin, Mike5000 or YMan?

To quote Bruce Campbell in BURN NOTICE, "Bunch of bitchy little girls...."

Awe, c'mon "Doc" ...

Submitted by Yman on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:13am.

You can admit it now.

You were duped ......... again.

Heh, heh, heh ....

BTW - No one's saying he should "fix everything right off," ...... but fixing something would be a nice change of pace, ...... anything, for that matter. How 'bout if he just stops making things worse?

To quote Bruce Campbell, "Serious, like 'Don't finish that beer' serious?". Yeah, "Doc", ..... 'put down that beer' serious.

no expectations except for what was promised

Submitted by Blairtim on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 8:52am.

Obama has a full plate.

Why the insulting letters from the Justice Department?

Why do I have to wait for it to be convenient, to have civil rights?

The House and Senate can submit changes. One house rep from Florida did try to submit a bill changing DOMA, but was told by Obama to not submit.

My right to have a job, get a loan, and rent an apartment is important

My right to serve my country with out lying to fellow soldiers is important

The 1,100 rights straight people have that I don’t is important

Not having to hide and lie every day is important.

We want our civil rights now not when it is convenient for you!

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