Yesterday, I explored what President Obama has done to make lives better for LGBTQ families. Today, his last day in office, I simply want to highlight a few specific quotes from him and say “Thank you.”
If, like me, you are fearful or uncertain of what lies ahead for our country, take a few minutes today and watch–or rewatch–President Obama’s Farewell Address from last night.
President Obama’s proclamation of National Foster Care Month has once again included parents and children of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It also mentions marriage equality as a factor in giving more kids the chance to find loving homes.
For the first time, a president has been fully inclusive of LGBTQ parents in a proclamation for National Foster Care Month or its counterpart, National Adoption Month. We still have a long way to go before equality in foster care and adoption, however.
I didn’t want to let the day pass without an acknowledgment of the historic signing by President Obama of an executive order to ban federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The order also added “gender identity” to an executive order of President Clinton that banned discrimination against federal employees on the basis of sexual orientation. Today’s order will directly benefit many LGBTQ people and their families — but it isn’t enough.
In his remarks at Tuesday’s memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela, President Obama included a mention of those persecuted for “who they love.”  LGBT rights in India just suffered a major blow, however, with its Supreme Court finding the country’s sodomy law constitutional, recriminalizing same-sex relations.
At this afternoon’s LGBT Pride Month Reception at the White House, President Obama was introduced by nine-year-old twins Zea and Luna, third graders from California who have two moms. Watch after the jump (along with the President’s remarks).
Did you hear or read Richard Blanco’s inaugural poem, “One Today”? I’ve been rereading it and marveling at its peaceful message of inclusivity; the balance of personal experience and sweeping view; the message of hope.
Ten-year-old Sophia Bailey Klugh had one question for President Obama: “If you were me and had two dads that loved each other, and kids at school teased you about it, what would you do?” Yesterday, the President responded.
In “Flip Flop,” Kathryn at Recovering Straight Girl gives us her thoughts on why changing one’s perspective is not necessarily a bad thing. She says people are wrong to criticize President Obama for “flip-flopping” on the issue of marriage equality.
