All Entries Tagged With: "Barack Obama"
3 arrested at White House protest
Choi, Pietrangelo to be arraigned in D.C. Superior Court
With thanks for D.C. marriage equality
It seems like yesterday, when in May 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that existing marriage laws discriminated against gays and lesbians, a ruling our D.C. Board of Elections & Ethics has repeatedly rendered lately. Coincidentally, it was about this same time that I started to test my sea legs in the arena of LGBT [...]
Obama nominates second lesbian U.S. Attorney
A lesbian prosecutor in San Diego credited with coordinating high-profile narcotics cases along the U.S.-Mexico border was nominated Wednesday by President Obama to be United States attorney for the Southern District of California.
If confirmed by the Senate, Laura Duffy would become the second openly gay person to serve as a U.S. attorney. In September, the [...]
Army, Air Force leaders warn against abrupt ‘Don’t Ask’ repeal
Top leaders in the Army and Air Force on Tuesday expressed concerns during a congressional hearing about lifting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” before the Pentagon completes its study on implementing repeal.
In a hearing on the defense budget request President Obama submitted, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey told Congress that he [...]
This black gay American still supports Obama
In late August 2008, I had the opportunity to attend the Democratic National Convention. I listened carefully to the speeches of Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and President Bill Clinton. On Aug. 28, 2008, I listened to Sen. Barack Obama outline his soaring vision for America. I heard him speak about how he would address the [...]
Bloggers target HRC in push for ‘Don’t Ask’ repeal
Amid fears that momentum on repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is slipping, advocates are pressuring the Human Rights Campaign to demand that President Obama publicly call for repeal this year.
A group of bloggers — led by John Aravosis of Americablog — are asking readers to flood HRC’s phone lines and e-mail inboxes [...]
Lincoln's legacy for LGBT civil rights
Sparked by a debate with a Log Cabin Republican friend of mine, I began reviewing information surrounding the Civil Rights movement in the United States.
It’s part of our history that stands very relevant to every member of the LGBT community. I was struck by the overwhelming realization that the Democratic Party is today what it [...]
Three gay nominees among the 27 confirmed by U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed three openly LGBT individuals to high-ranking roles in the Obama administration — including a gay man to a top position in the Defense Department — as part of 27 nominees that moved forward by unanimous consent.
Senators confirmed Douglas Wilson, who’s gay, to the position of assistant secretary of defense [...]
White House pursuing 'best process' to end 'Don't Ask'
President Obama and military leaders are pursuing “the best process” to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told DC Agenda during Friday’s press briefing.
In responding to questions from DC Agenda reporter Chris Johnson, Gibbs also sidestepped a query about whether Obama would support a legislative moratorium on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” [...]
LGBT Democrats defend Obama at DNC winter meeting
The Democratic National Committee’s LGBT Americans Caucus is giving high marks to President Obama and the Democratic Party’s efforts to advance LGBT rights over the past year, caucus members said this week.
Veteran Democratic activist Rick Stafford of Minnesota, who chairs the LGBT Caucus, said members at the Feb. 5 meeting were impressed [...]
60 members of Congress call for LGBT inclusion in immigration reform
A group of 60 U.S. House members have signed a letter urging congressional leaders and President Obama to include bi-national LGBT couples this year in comprehensive immigration reform.
Current law prevents LGBT Americans from sponsoring their foreign partners for residency in the United States, impacting an estimated 36,000 same-sex couples and keeping many apart. Signers of the letter say [...]
U.S. Congress moves against anti-gay Uganda bill
Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress last week introduced resolutions condemning a harshly anti-gay bill pending in Uganda.
In the Senate, the sponsor of the resolution is Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), chair of the Foreign Relations African Affairs subcommittee. The sponsor of the resolution in the House is Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), chair [...]
Schumer recommends nomination of first openly gay male federal judge
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is recommending to President Obama that he nominate for the first time ever an openly gay male to serve on the federal bench, according to the senator’s office.
The senator has designated Daniel Alter to serve as judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. His appointment is [...]
New AIDS advisory panel sworn in at White House
At least seven LGBT people are among the 24 newly appointed members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
The induction of the new PACHA members, who Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius gave the oath of office Feb. 2, comes six months after Sebelius dismissed all of the presidential advisory body’s existing members, who [...]
Defense leaders support open service
Top Pentagon leaders announced Tuesday their support for allowing gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly in the U.S. military while unveiling new plans for a working group that will examine the impact of such a change in the armed forces.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen [...]
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