This is a must-watch video. It’s another reminder of just how important the upcoming presidential election is for the cause of LGBT civil rights, and the leaps and bounds by which that cause has moved forward during President Obama’s first term.
I was particularly touched when Zachary Quinto, Wanda Sykes, George Takei, Billie Jean King, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson recounted their reactions to President Obama’s historic announcement that he supports marriage equality. That day, May 9, 2012, anticipation was building online and among LGBT activists that the President’s “special announcement” might have something to do with the freedom to marry. By the time his interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts came on, I was fairly certain — based on all the chatter but also on a simple hunch — that President Obama was going to formally complete his “evolution” on the issue. But even with that relative certainty, the surge of emotion I felt on hearing him actually say those words absolutely overwhelmed me. I literally cannot overstate the impact it had, and still has — as a person who was initially compelled into LGBT activism just months after my wedding because my home state of Wisconsin used its constitution to attack my marriage — to hear the president of the United States say that he respects and values relationships, marriages, and families like mine on an equal footing with his own. It represented an incredible leap forward in the struggle for LGBT equality, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt prouder to be an American than I did on that day. Like Wanda, George, and I’m sure many of you, I called my husband Michael at work and we wept together.
Check the video out below. As you can see, I found it very moving; I’m interested to hear if TWO readers react similarly. Let us know: was there something that particularly touched you?
On November 6, vote like your rights depend on it. Because they do.
OMG ! Beautiful ! and, I don’t even live in the U.S., but it would seem to me, that any LGBT person who does not vote for Obama; well—.
I am gay, yet it makes no sense to support a candidate with Obama’s record on attacking our constitutional rights such as free speech and NDAA provisions all on the pretense of fighting “terrorism”, a threat which was created by the U.S. to wage further war. He is just the current puppet doing the bidding of the military dictatorship we reside in. Look at the innocent millions he has murdered worldwide. I would think being LGBT would be a more humane attitude towards all people.
So Alan, your solution is to give the white house to someone who helps fund moder-day concentration camps?
To RP, No just don’t for either duopoly liar. They are both NWO puppets, The LGBT community can stand and will build on its advancements regardless of the voting winner. Vote for one of the alternate candidates, your vote would be a real statement to swat at the face of the corrupt system.
Not if we give up and let someone like Romney pick the next SCOTUS members. Voting for “alternative” candidates is a waste that will just let the worst possible candidate take over. We saw that in 2000. But if you’re okay with being thrown in prison because you helped create a SCOTUS willing to throw out Lawrence, be my guest.
To RP, I fail to see the difference between the two. Obama broke all the pre election promises he made in 08, he is just pandering for the LGBT vote. He is as right wing as right wing can be. He one upped Bush on every detrimental issue. Both choices will move the SCOTUS farther towards the hard right and tyranny. The money powers will demand it. The NWO supports LGBT rights anyway.
Than you are deliberately not paying attention Alan. We now have hate crimes protections and can serve openly in the military, two things Romney wants to get rid of. Obama has endorsed marriage equality while Romney helps fund concentration camps. Obama’s SCOTUS picks are likely to vote in favor of marriage equality when it inevitabely reaches them. Romney thinks we should have more of Scalia; a man who objected to the idea that we can even have sex in the privacy of our bedrooms. Claiming there is no difference is a deliberite distortion of the evidence. Just because you want to have a temper tantrum over not getting everything you wanted right away doesn’t mean the rest of us are so short-sighted.
RP, I actually despise that fake creep Romney more than I do Obama. I just can’t look past the lies of both. I prefer Obama to win, yet can’t vote for him. My better half will though. The 2000 election was fixed by Jeb Bush, Harris, and the SCOTUS. If the votes were all counted, Bush lost. Jeb culled legal voters from the rolls, just like present governor Scott is doing this election. I’m a Florida native, this state had a 100 year history of electing Democrats, yet the Repukes have taken over completely. Meanwhile the Democrats have more registered voters statewide.
If you’re not voting you’re still helping the person you think is the worse option take over. It wouldn’t have been possible to fix the 2000 election if so many people hadn’t wasted their votes on a third party. You’ve given up your right to complain when we’re suddenly back to fighting the right to choose what to do in the privacy of our bedrooms.
RP, you have made valid points and I appreciate the feedback. I am a lifetime Democratic voter, but voted for Nader in 2000. I don’t believe Nader cost Gore the election. Gore would have carried out Bush’s direction also. The alternate choices support LGBT rights far more than the two at the top. I agree with your concerns for the potential impact on our future rights. Thanks much for your insight.
Than you helped Bush steal the election. There is also no reason to believe that Gore would have been no different from Bush. You only need to look at his record as vice president for that. It’s sounding more and more like you’re just making things up to justify throwing your vote away. Also, what is there to support now that Obama doesn’t? We have hate crimes and open military service. Obama supports bullying, housing, public accomodations, and employment protections in addition to full marriage rights. That’s the total opposite of Romney.
Thanks again RP, you have given a logical reason to vote for Obama, who has given us these advancements in equality. Like I said, I abhor Romney and realize he would take us backwards. You have made a very persuasive argument for progress. The opinions I expressed are a result of me being a radical. I get so angry at the system, it overtakes my better judgement at times. Peace and good luck.
Radicalism has it’s place. This is not it.