Gays and lesbians have been unhappy with the pace of change on gay rights, having expected more immediate action by the Obama Administration.
But, 17 months into the term of the President, real progress is being made, and the rhetoric has also been upgraded by both Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with Defense Secretary Robert Gates!
On Tuesday, both Obama and Clinton spoke up in strong language at a gathering of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans at the White House to commemorate Gay and Lesbian Pride Month!
Obama outlined what has been done: a hate crimes law; extension of federal benefits to gay employees; promotion of an employee discrimination bill; extension of medical leave to gay parents of sick or newborn children; the push on to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the military; access to HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment around the world; assistance to human rights activists who are gay or promote gay rights and are persecuted around the world; and the providing of information by American embassies in Africa and elsewhere on the treatment of gays and lesbians in those countries.
Hillary Clinton emphasized at the gathering that gay rights are part of human rights, and President Obama was cheered and applauded vigorously by the attendees, as they realize his administration is really making progress that no one could have imagined before his election!