IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THE RALLY TOMORROW IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Click here.
Yay rec list! Thanks guys!
Now I remember why I worked so hard to get this guy elected...
Tonight, President Barack Obama will give an address to the Human Rights Campaign on the issue of gay rights generally in the lead up to the march scheduled for tomorrow.
Let us keep in mind during this liveblog the vision of Harvey Milk:
“If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.”
I will liveblog as we proceed. Have fun kids!
Joe Solmonese is speaking now...
"We are honored to have President Obama here tonight..towards a community with full equality"...
Shout out for winning the Nobel Prize for peace...for equality for all.
All of us are joined together, whether it be health care, or rights at work...
It is particularly meaningful, we pay tribute to a dear friend. Someone who we lost. We stand tonight. Everyone's Senator. Senator Ted Kennedy.
Standing O for Senator Kennedy. Very heart warming.
Tonight we honor the Shepherds.
Tomorrow, thousands will take to the streets to express how important this moment is. While this march is important, we should not confuse this against Obama, but stagnation by the previous administration.
The hate crimes bill will be making its way to the Presidents desk for signature.
Why? Because this White House wanted it.
Just called for the repeal of DADT and DOMA, huge standing Os
President Obama stands for change.
"Where after all do universal human rights live, so close and so small that they can't be seen on any map of the world. Yet, they are the world of the neighborhood we live in." Such are the places where every man, woman and child seek equality and respect. This was Elanor's Roosevelt America and this is President Obama's America...
It is a country where gay, lesbian, bisexual folks are treated equally under the law. And in an America where all Americans live...
Introduces President Obama.
HUGE OVATION
Geez, this is like the freaking Beatles.
Doing the usual laundry list of name dropping.
Thank you all, it is a privilege to open for Lady Gaga! LMAO
You've advocated for those who are without a voice. There are still laws to change, and hearts to open. Neighbors, even loved ones. Good and decent people who hold onto outworn arguments. Who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted. And that's painful. And that's heartbreaking. And yet, you keep leading by the force you have and the example you set.
Note: He's painting this as the same as the civil rights movement, putting it in the same realm...
It's the story of the Stonewall protests...stood up against discrimination...people who continue to fight this scourge. Different kinds of families can be loving. And it's the story of the Human Right's campaign. Helping to elect those who share your values...living with those who are living with HIV/AIDs, at our capitol and across America.
I'm here with a simple message: I'm here with you, in that fight.
I appreciate that many of you haven't seen progress come fast enough...it's important to be honest among friends. Now, I've said this and I will say it again. I will not ask for you to be patient. There is not a daily issue that we do not deal with on a daily basis. We all have a stake on reviving this economy...we all have a stake on meeting the difficult challenges we face in Iraq and Afghanistan. You know and I know we don't want to be defined by one part that makes us. But we are also parent's who care about our kids futures...about our jobs...about the rising cost of health care...our soldiers. And you care deeply about this country and it's people.
Wow, he basically just endorsed gay marriage. (it was garbled).
He is committed to these goals. There is no more poignant reminder that we do so than the loss of Matt Shepherd. In may, I met with Judy, I met her in the oval office. I promised that we would pass a hate crimes bill. Time and again, the measure was defeated or delayed. But they never gave up. They turned tragedy into focus. In congress after congress. I can announce that this bill is set to pass and I will sign it into law
(cheers, cheers and more cheers)
Together, we will make it so noone has to worry about being gay in America.
We are working to pass a inclusive employee non discrimination bill.
Noone in America should be fired because they're gay. We're going to put a stop to it.
I will not waiver in my commitment to stop discrimination in all it's forms.
We are reinvigorating our response to HIV/AIDS. We will put an end to discrimination based on health status. It continues to be a major issue, even here in Washington, DC. We are holding forums on this country as we develop a national strategy to address this issue.
We are moving ahead on Don't Ask Don't Tell. We should not be punishing patriotic Americans. We should celebrate their willingness to work on behalf of their fellow citizens, especially while we're fighting two wars.
I WILL END DON'T ASK DON'T TELL. I am working with the House and Senate on this. I am working with the Defense leadership on this...
I believe in extending rights...we should extend...calling on them to repeal DOMA, and to pass the domestic partnerships benefits act...
Wow...just wow...