barack obama
Obama signs Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal
In a historic achievement for gay rights, President Obama signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal this morning, which will allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.
“This is a good day, this is a very good day.” Obama said. ”No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder in order to serve the country that they love.”
Last weekend, the US Senate voted to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. On Monday, Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary, tweeted:
President to sign repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on Wednesday at 9:15 AM…
The repeal is not immediately effective, reports the New York Times. The change will go into effect once Obama and defense officials certify the military’s readiness.
(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Same-sex couples to have full visitation rights
President Obama has signed a memorandum which prohibits discrimination in hospital visitation. The memo, The Washington Post reports, will allow LGBT patients to have non-family visitors. The big kicker, however, is they will also be allowed to grant their partners medical power of attorney.
This right has been one of the main concerns in the debates for same-sex marriage. Up until now, crucial medical decisions could only be made by a family member.
Obama ensures that the new rules are to protect everyone, and not pandering to special interests groups. He states that patients are denied the kindness and care of their loved ones every day.
He goes on the say the the most affected are “gay and lesbian American who are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives — unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated.”
(Photo: Associated Press)
Barack Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast
(Video: Hillary & Obama mention Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill)
Obama is expected to mention the military gay ban in the State of the Union address on Wednesday.
Obama has made history by supporting equality and appointing Amanda Simpson, a transgendered woman, to the Department of Commerce as a senior technical adviser. (via MSB7, NOH8Campaign)
