OBAMA OPENS FOR LADY GAGA at HRC DINNER! VIDEO! FIRST EQUALITY MARCH PHOTOS! HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN!

October 11, 2009
“It’s a privilege to be here tonight to open for Lady Gaga,” President Obama told a receptive audience at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner last night in Washington D.C. "I’ve made it!" Although he failed to offer any new time-lines or commitments, he received numerous standing ovations, especially when he reiterated his promise to end the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.
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Lady Gaga stands and applauds at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner last night to acknowledge President Obama's light-hearted remarks about her. 10-10-09 photo

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The audience cracked up when the President talked about Lady Gaga. Even he found it hard to quit laughing.

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Photo of President Obama talking to the LGBT audience at the HRC banquet last night

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“I’m here with you in that fight,” he told the nation’s largest gay rights organization in a speech high on emotion, as well as rhetoric. Check out our videos of his address at the bottom of this post.
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Member of Knights Out preparing to lay a wreath on the grave of a gay soldier during the pre-March Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Protest & Memorial at Arlington Cemetary Saturday 10-10-09 photo

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Obama also said, “I appreciate those of you who don’t think progress has come fast enough. Let me be honest about that, because it’s important to be honest among friends.”

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Photo of Lt Dan Choi (front), who was dismissed from the military under DADT, and comrades saluting during the pre-March Don’t, Ask Don’t Tell Protest & Memorial at Arlington 10-10-09

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The President went on to say he thought we should continue to put pressure on Congress and himself.
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Photo of Lt Dan Choi (second from left) and Cleve Jones (third from left) posing for a photo at the Don’t, Ask Don’t Tell Protest & Memorial at Arlington 10-10-09

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Obama promised to sign the new hate crimes bill as soon as it reaches his desk.
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Photo of gay pioneer Frank Kameny addressing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Protest & Memorial at Arlington yesterday. Kameny was fired 52 years ago by the U.S. government for being gay. Obama issued an official apology to him in June.

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President Obama emphatically restated his commitment to gay and lesbian families, citing his invitation to LGBT parents and their children to roll Easter Eggs at the White House earlier this year.
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Two guys listen intently during speeches calling for an increase in AIDS research. 10-10-09 photo

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Obama spoke about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and promised to defend his employees from attacks based on who they are, a likely reference to Safe Schools Chief Kevin Jennings, who has been under attack from anti-gay right-wing and religious groups.
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Activist hands out rainbow flags to National Equality March protesters Saturday 10-10-09 photo

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The President also noted gays should be free from discrimination “whether in the office or on the battlefield . . . You will see a time when we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as those between a man and a woman . . . I am committed to these goals.”

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Photo of guys holding a banner for Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the country's oldest advocacy group for people with HIV 10-10-09 at a pre-Equality March rally

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“Together we will have moved closer to that day when no one has to be afraid to be gay in America," Obama continued. "When no one has to fear walking down the street holding the hand of the one they love. But we know we have more work to do.”

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Filmmaker with rainbow hair video-taping at the National Equality March 10-10-09 photo

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“Nobody should be fired for being gay . . . It’s not fair. It’s not right. We’re going to put a stop to it," said Obama.

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Photo of National Equality March official historian, Laura McFerrin. She will be producing a documentary called March On

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"I will not waiver in my commitment to end discrimination in all its forms,” Obama told the Human Rights Campaign.

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Woman at a pre-Equality March rally on Saturday with a rainbow flag. 10-10-09 photo

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You have to hand it to President Obama. He’s truly a great orator. It’s almost enough to make me want to vote for him . . . again. Almost. We’ll see for sure in three years!
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Two guys snuggle yesterday during one of the many National Equality March rallies. 10-10-09 photo

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Check out this video of of HRC President Joe Solmonese Speaking Before President Obama at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner 10-10-09:

Watch this video of our charismatic President Barack Obama Addressing the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner 10-10-09 Part 1:

Check out this video of our charismatic President Barack Obama Addressing the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner 10-10-09 Part 2:

Watch this video of our charismatic President Barack Obama Addressing the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner 10-10-09 Part 3:

Watch this great video: www.avalonfarmblog.wordpress.com interviews fierce transgender outside the Halo Lounge in Washington D.C. Friday 10-09-09 about why she’s attending the National Equality March:
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Photo of blue-purple Walker's Low Catmint nepeta from the author's free flower photo website http://www.freefishcaretips.com/photos75

Also visit http://www.galechesterwhittington.com for free humor, short stories, poems, and book excerpts from the award-winning gay author

==copyright 2009==