NEW YORK - Michelle Obama won a standing ovation on Thursday when she paid a campaign visit to gay and lesbian Democratic activists to promote her husband Barack Obama’s presidential quest.
Obama, appearing at a dinner meeting of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee, cited her husband’s efforts to fight discrimination and promote equal rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people.
She said he supported a complete repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which only recognizes marriages between men and women and upholds states’ rights not to honor same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. He also opposes a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward gays in the U.S. military and was against a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, she added.
He supports full family and adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples and believes the federal government should not stand in the way of states that opt for domestic partnerships, civil unions or civil marriage, she said. The Illinois senator opposes same-sex marriage.
“Barack believes that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws like DOMA and ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” she said. “The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds.”
Her husband also has called for a renewed effort to fight HIV and AIDS and has said the African-American community should overcome homophobia, she said.
“Nothing we have to do over the next four or eight years is going to be easy. There will be powerful forces who believe that things should stay just as they are, that everything is fine, and that’s where you all come in,” she said.
“Your voices of truth and hope and of possibility have got to drown out the skeptics and the cynics,” she said.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
Photo Credit: Reuters/Yuri Gripas (Michelle Obama at campaign event this week in Washington)
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All I can say, is GOD HELP AMERICA! I believe that the time is very short for the soon return of our coming Lord Jesus Christ. So take comfort, true believers in Christ…no matter which president makes it in, God will use it to accomplish His purposes for these end times. The days are growing more dark and evil. Only God’s Word will STAND in the end. Let God be true and every man a liar. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer. 17:9. The only true STANDARD is God’s standard and it’s ALL written in His Word, the BIBLE. As much as I like Barack Obama’s personality, I would not choose either candidate for president because they do not stand up for biblical views and standards. What they are for, God is AGAINST… according to His Word. In the end, GOD WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY!
- Posted by Diane HernandezDear Happy to live…..
You said, “In this time when a great number of our personal freedoms have been snatched away…”
What freedoms have you personally lost? Or is this just a phrase that many on the left use to attack in the absence of intellectual honesty?
Can you say you have lost anything?
- Posted by Intellectually HonestMICHELLE OBAMA,
- Posted by WORRIEDPLEASE LOOK TO FATHER GOD THROUGH CHIRST FOR YOUR ANSWER. WE ARE SEEING MANY SIGNS NOW.
THANK YOU
WORRIED
If Barak & Michelle stand for what is right for all people, then language is important. Words such as: “where YOU all come in” and “YOUR voices” are separators. Not equal.
Using HIV and AIDS are separators as it insinuates it is a disease started by gays. This has been proven false.
Guess my white butt being involved in civil rights protests in early 1960’s didn’t mean much. Neither did establishing a large (300+) coalition in Phoenix AZ. to fight for people of all colors for Title IX, better employment and incomes in the 1970’s.
My point is that over the last 45 years, I have encountered many gay people on the fighting lines for equality for people other than gays. I am sad to hear there is “homophobia” among blacks. Maybe it’s like Hillary said that younger(?) people today take for granted that which they have, which has been obtained off the backs of others who came before them. This is not a criticism, just a sad observation of the truth.
- Posted by Heather RoseDear Stand Francisco!
Who do you suggest that we as a nation vote for McCAIN? What is his agenda for gays, lesbians and trans gendered folks? What is he agenda for this country, a 100 year war?
I believe Barack is WHO he says that he is! I believe he is probably ONE of the best, most honest, sincere politicians that has entered into US politics IN A VERY LONG TIME! I would much rather put my fate in his hands than in the hands of John McCain!
I find it offensive and sad that there are individuals such as yourself that are influenced by FOX news shows and unreal perceptions and dillusions and right out lies that are put in the mainstream media to dissuade the US population from voting in a man that is THE most honest politician this country has seen in A LONG TIME!
Even as disappointed as I was after Clinton got in office, and I volunteered diligently for his campaign! I was still more satisfied with Clinton in office than I would have been with BUSH!
I am proud of Barack. I feel confident as a person carrying the mantle of three “isms”, I am a woman, a US citizen of African Ancestry, AND I AM A LESBIAN! I feel that I can speak to the fact that it is time this country vote in a representative that is RELATABLE to all of the “minority groups” in this great land. white patriarchal rule is just outdated, because it does not represent the demographic of this country! I am READY FOR A CHANGE, and as a black lesbian I am confident Barack is that change.
- Posted by Happy to Live in a time when everyone can now be proud of this country!If every citizen should have the Constitutional right to marry whom they please shouldn’t bigamists, polygamists, animal lovers, gardeners and whoever else be afforded the same privilege?
You have to draw the line somewhere. Personally I want to marry a head of red cabbage- right before I eat it. I’ll
- Posted by Flintervote for anyone that will pander for my Constitutional right, but I’ll bet Obama prefers asparagus.
Except that Obama is a very closeted, very protected and faithful Muslim who has an agenda to fulfill for America and that means the complete obliteration of the transgendered and all those of an alternate lifestyle. He’s more closeted than we’ve ever been and the moment we wake up to this guy is the day we make the right decision for our preservation. All these political poser supporters swarming the internet posting falsehoods about Obama’s dedication to the transgendered and America in general won’t fool America when we have to get down into the fire you’ve created and we have to deal with Obama on America’s daily political frontline. That’s when he won’t stand a chance and America gets to win.
- Posted by Stand FranciscoJerry & and The Man!
First, I am proud that we live in a nation that allows freedom of speech. In this time when a great number of our personal freedoms have been snatched away under the guise of internal protection from the external forces of “evil” outside our borders, that “axis” that lies in wait to destroy our very country….I am ecstatic that there is STILL the right to voice ones opinion openly and freely. Now, I must say the challenge is for the listening and present faction of our society to cypher through the limited and repressive thinking to the all-inclusive global thinking. Unfortunately, Jerry and The Man you both are part of the limited, repressive thinking. Those individuals with little to no information that have formed opinions that have no REAL basis or offer solid fact, or data.
Barack Obama IS the candidate that represents change, and forward motion in this country. The fact that he supports a repeal of DOMA is MOST encouraging. This means Barack is not satisfied with keeping laws in place that restrict, and exclude fellow tax paying, law abiding, citizens. This means that Barack recognizes that banning same sex marriages is JUST as RIDICULOUS as the ban on interracial marriages was over the several centuries it was in place! Well, if the ban still existed we wouldn’t even have a Barack Obama! Gay couples are a part of those that have inalienable rights guaranteed in the constitution by this country’s founding fathers. We cannot have another repeat of 9/11 where members of our LGBT community lost their lives and their loved ones WERE not able to apply for assistance because they did not have the benefit of a marriage certificate. A certificate which immediately gives long-time partners of LGBT citizens access to all of the benefits afforded all heterosexual couples!
I stand up and applaud Barack.
I suggest Jerry & The Man that before you take a stand on an issue that blatantly excludes your fellow citizens of their inalienable rights, those citizens that have fought for this country, died for this country, protected the infrastructure of this country, cared for the sick and maimed of this country, entertained this country, built roads, airports, and given timelessly of their service to many of their fellow citizens in communities across this nation….I suggest that you REALLY look into the facts, REALLY think about how a ban will affect all of the citizens, and how it is important to uphold the constitution of the United States of America for all of its citizens!
Proud of My Country Again!
- Posted by Happy to Live in a time when everyone can now be proud of this country![...] Michelle Obama spoke at a dinner meeting of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee promoting her husband’s record: She said he supported a complete repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which only recognizes marriages between men and women and upholds states’ rights not to honor same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. He also opposes a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward gays in the U.S. military and was against a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, she added. [...]
- Posted by Michelle Obama Speaks on Gay Issues - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought[...] Tales from the Trail » Blog Archive » Michelle Obama speaks to gay Democrats | Blogs | Reuters.com Michelle Obama won a standing ovation on Thursday when she paid a campaign visit to gay and lesbian Democratic activists to promote her husband Barack Obama’s presidential quest. (tags: Obama Michelle gay lesbian same-sex marriage doma states select2008) [...]
- Posted by links for 2008-06-28 | Select2008 Blog - Comparing and tracking the 2008 presidential candidatesMaybe Michelle is, for the first time in her life, proud of her gay voting block.
- Posted by Keith[...] to Carol Platt Liebau while the “Illinois senator opposes same-sex marriage,” he favors repeal of the the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Without that law, she claims, [...]
- Posted by GayPatriot » Where does Obama Stand on Gay Marriage?Gracious, intelligent–it isn’t kool-aid people are drinking; it’s spirits of humility,equality and dignity–Michelle Obama connects with people and gets back respect and admiration in return. She’s very much like Elizabeth Edwards!
- Posted by debThis just affirms it for me. Ron Paul in November (yeah, I know…). Either way, neither of the ‘prime two’. But this whole idea of marriage…by definition…yeah, rights should be equal…but again, by definition, Marriage is between a man and a women. What is the point of the word in the English language if it doesn’t mean that? Marriage = significant commitment??? Why doesn’t everyone just say ‘we are committed to each other’? Alas, I’m not sure of the solution, but there has got to be something.
- Posted by The ManWell that decides it for me. McCain in November.
- Posted by JerryI believe Koolaide was served with this speech.
- Posted by GreenDrink up, drink it all up.
Consider this Carter’s second term if he wins.
You will be paying more for Government to get involved in your lives. Like I said drink up.
I assume Michelle’s long time spiritual leaders, Wright and Farrakan had scheduling conflicts which prevented them from joining her at this meeting.
- Posted by DB CooperAt last a refreshing sense of social commitment that aims to tackle another evil that violates human rights.
Mr & Mrs Obama really are a great team!
Thank heavens for their emergence onto the political field.
America and the world will benefit!
- Posted by The Truth Is...it’s so nice to hear from a truely gracious leader instead of the ignorant, biggoted pigs that have governed for the past 8 years. Obama should come out of the closet for gay marriage, and say and do the right things to support marriage for everyone. Civil unions aren’t recognized by the federal government, and he knows it.
- Posted by FlexWell I guess that decided my vote for me. Obama in November.
- Posted by Mickey C