Jun 302009
Strong words from Keith Olbermann on the controversial Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy as he interviews columnist Dan Savage about the LGBT reception held at the White House yesterday and the overall lack of progress on LGBT issues. Watch:
Jun 302009
President Obama hosted a reception yesterday at the White House celebrating LGBT Pride month and commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Speaking before a crowd of nearly 300 people, Obama spoke at some length on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the Matthew Shepard Act and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
President Obama’s remarks in full below…
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Jun 232009
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach appeared on Rachel Maddow this evening to discuss what the past month has been like since coming out on the show. Fehrenbach will likely be discharged from the Air Force after 18 years of loyal and heroic service because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, unless President Obama or Congress intervenes. Watch:
Jun 232009
Bay Area photographer Bill Wilson spoke briefly with Michelle Obama at an event he covered in San Francisco yesterday, kicking off the United We Serve program. Wilson, who is gay and recently married to his partner of 22 years by Mayor Gavin Newsom, told the First Lady we need to get rid of DOMA. The exchange via The Petrelis Files below:
Bill Wilson: My husband and I have been together 23 years. We need to get rid of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Michelle Obama: I agree.
Bill Wilson: We need it done now.
Michelle Obama: It will be.
Bill Wilson: I really want to be able to support him.
Michelle Obama: As well you should!
Bill Wilson: We really do want him to succeed.
Michelle Obama: I’ll tell him.
(At this point she leaned over to give me a hug.)
As she stepped away I said, “We were married by the Mayor last year.”
Michelle Obama: Give your husband a hug from me.
I met Bill recently covering the GLAAD Media Awards and am glad he was able to speak to Michelle Obama on behalf of the gay community. Is it possible we have a “fierce advocate” in the White House after all?