June 27, 2008
Michelle Obama is fierceness personified and with her speech to the Democratic National Committee’s Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council she makes clear that if her husband is elected president, he will fight for LGBT rights.
Michelle Obama also drew a connection between the struggles for gay rights and civil rights.
“We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union,” she said at the event, held days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots between gays and New York police, and the city’s annual gay pride parade.
“The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds,” she said.
Touting her husband’s record pushing for workplace discrimination legislation as an Illinois state senator and his support of civil unions, Obama noted her husband also had brought a call for equality to conservative groups, telling churchgoers they need to combat homophobia in the black community.
Although he does not support marriage for same-sex couples the Illinois senator opposes a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and says states should make their own decisions on the matter. He has said he’s interested in ensuring that same-sex couples in civil unions get federal benefits.
Entry Filed under: 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Campaigns, Democrats, LGBT, Liberals, Marriage, Politics. Tags: Barack Obama, Democrats, gay Democrats, gay rights, Michelle Obama.
1.
Brian Vinkman | June 28, 2008 at 2:07 pm
If they are for gay rights how come in the Dakota primary Obama hired known gay haters to help him in his primaries
2.
Michael Crawford | June 28, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Brian,
Obama has gay people at all levels of his campaign including as deputy campaign manager and constituency director.
Do you really think that he would hired this people and give them such crucial roles in his campaign staff if he was not pro-gay?
And, do you think that the gay staffers would sign on to put in the kind of insane hours that a presidential campaign requires for a candidate that did not support LGBT civil rights?
3.
hellonhairylegs | July 5, 2008 at 6:43 am
Not good enough. Pissing around with civil unions sucks. Seperate but equal just doesn’t work.
Spiffy blog btw.
4.
Dan (Fitness) | July 8, 2008 at 12:42 am
I agree hellonhairylegs, but at the same time, compared to McCain, he’s the best step forward.
5.
Kurt | July 12, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Gay rights are part of civil rights, which are part of human rights. Barack is on our side.
But you know, sometimes I wish Michelle was running!
6.
Michael Crawford | July 13, 2008 at 10:24 am
Michelle would be an awesome elected official. She is smart, passionate and won’t take guff the Republican Party.