Sunday, October 2, 2011

Video: Obama Speaks at LGBT Rights Group's Annual Dinner

President Barack Obama touted his administration's LGBT-specific accomplishments at the Human Rights Campaign's annual National Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Obama cited the federal hate crimes bill, the executive order that mandates any hospital that receives Medicare and Medicaid funds to allow visitation rights for same-sex partners of their patients, the administration's opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act and the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' during his 20 minute speech.

Obama also criticized Republican presidential candidates who remained silent when a gay soldier in Iraq who asked a question about 'don't ask, don't tell' during a Sept. 22 debate in Florida was booed.

"We don’t believe in the kind of smallness that says it’s okay for a stage full of political leaders--one of whom could end up being the president of the United States--being silent when an American soldier is booed," said Obama to applause. "We don’t believe in that. We don’t believe in standing silent when that happens. We don’t believe in them being silent since. You want to be commander-in-chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States, even when it’s not politically convenient."

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