Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights just make sense—and apparently Obama has some.

President Barack Obama spoke up for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals Tuesday evening. It was the first time LGBT individuals have been recognized in a State of the Union Speech.

In October of 2009 at a Human Rights Campaign Dinner in Washington, Obama stated, “Tonight, somewhere in America, a young person, let’s say a young man, will struggle to fall to sleep, wrestling alone with a secret he’s held as long as he can remember. Soon, perhaps, he will decide it’s time to let that secret out. What happens next depends on him, his family, as well as his friends and his teachers and his community. But it also depends on us—on the kind of society we engender, the kind of future we build.

I believe the future is bright for that young person. For while there will be setbacks and bumps along the road, the truth is that our common ideals are a force far stronger than any division that some might sow. These ideals, when voiced by generations of citizens, are what made it possible for me to stand here today.

These ideals are what made it possible for the people in this room to live freely and openly when for most of history that would have been inconceivable. That’s the promise of America, HRC. That’s the promise we’re called to fulfill. Day by day, law by law, changing mind by mind, that is the promise we are fulfilling.”

“This story, this fight continues now. And I’m here with a simple message: I’m here with you in this fight. For even as we face extraordinary challenges as a nation, we cannot—and we will not—put aside issues of basic equality.” ~ Obama

Obama is the first president to speak for, and push for protection and rights for LGBT individuals in the United States.

I grew up with two gay moms, so was gifted with the opportunity of being raised with an open mind.

I know that love is just about one thing—souls loving souls.

I know that banning same sex couples from marriage makes as much sense as women being paid less, at the exact same job due to gender.

I know many people still don’t get that, and it’s as sad as it is infuriating.

People still ask me, in 2015, what it is like growing up with two gay moms and I reply, “On fathers day my wallet is a little bit heavier and on mothers day it’s a little lighter.”

I was raised, challenged, loved, disciplined, supported all the same.

Every single human being on this planet deserves equality.

Every single human being on this planet deserves to love and dress, marry and express themselves freely without discrimination or harm.

This is basic sense to me.

My heart is brimming with joy today that Obama gets it.

 

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law—for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” ~ Obama

 

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Author: Janne Robinson

Editor: Renée Picard

Image: Flickr Creative Commons