*****PRESIDENT OBAMA AT HRC DINNER THREAD*****

[HopeOverFear]

www.cnn.com/live

[Nictuku]

1. I'm watching.

[Garbo 2004]

2. Also televised on C-SPAN and streamed on C-SPAN's web site:

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN_wm.aspx

[jenmito]

3. It's also on C-Span now. CNN will be covering Obama's speech. n/t

[boppers]

4. It's on eom

[Parker CA]

5. Getting some serious love from the crowd. Awesome!! "I love you back!"

[HopeOverFear]

8. THUNDEROUS applause!

[Parker CA]

9. And once more when he said he's here for the fight. nt.

[HopeOverFear]

6. I love you back!!!!!!

[cal04]

7. thank you HopeOverFear

:hi:

[Parker CA]

10. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."

[nolabear]

11. Man, this has me in tears.

The desire and the need for these words (followed by actions) is just palpable in that room. A lot of people have needed to hear these tings. I'm so glad he's the Prez.

[IndianaGreen]

12. We were denied an all inclusive ENDA the last time because it wouldn't pass the Senate

so our brave and courageous Democratic leaders, and the cowardly Human Rights Campaign, went along with dumping transgender protections from ENDA. Guess what? ENDA got nowhere, again!

So with that as a backdrop, I am cautiously hopeful that Obama meant it when he said his Administration will fight for an all inclusive ENDA.

Deeds are more important than words.

[Parker CA]

13. "I WILL end don't ask, don't tell. That's my commitment to you."

[HopeOverFear]

14. WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[Chipper Chat]

15. The camera just showed an audience member at a table texting.

Is that a republican congessman in attendance?

[question everything]

48. Not Senator Claire (D-MO)?

After all, she twitted during his state of the union-like event earlier this year.

[Chipper Chat]

81. No, it was a middle-aged black guy.

Probably a reporter.

[vaberella]

16. I'm afraid the fans at the HRC dinner will bum rush my President with love.

I love it!! :rofl: DADT is going to end. I love this shit.

[Parker CA]

19. SO great to hear a president standing up saying these things. That room is stoked!!

[HopeOverFear]

17. I love how he said "so-called" defense of marriage act

that's what's up.

[vaberella]

18. I'm Crying because I love my PResident!! I can't even type properly anymore.

I love my President!!!! Thank God for him.

[firedupdem]

33. Vabby!

I feel you! That made me cry! He talked about love and compassion and loving who you love! Beautiful!

[vaberella]

45. Tell me about it. He stood up to all the folks who said he didn't support gay marriage.

He's like he's ending DOMA baby. It's gonna be a fiesta. Now, finally I can talk my friend into marrying his long term partner. Ugh...Im like I want to be a Best Woman. ^_^

[IndianaGreen]

20. Gulp! The fact that Obama is saying this in public, rather than behind closed doors

surely counts for something.

[vaberella]

23. He's said this in public before. But now, He's making it even more clear.

Since apparently it wasn't.

[Parker CA]

24. No doubt. He's not parsing words at all, being VERY direct and open about his opinions.

[vaberella]

21. Not to be cheesy but DOMA is OVA!!! My President committed to it. n/t

[DangerousRhythm]

84. I loved that he called it the SO-CALLED "defense of marriage act" :)

I hope for the sakes of my friends that it happens sooner rather than later. :)

[Parker CA]

22. "It's important that you continue to pressure your leaders and to pressure me."

[HopeOverFear]

26. that was beautiful

[vaberella]

27. He's a good man. He's gonna get everything done.

I say pressure, just the slander I've seen against him and the vitriol that he's not moving fast enough is what is irking me. 4 years we gave him and he's got shit coming from every end. People overseas appreciate him more than even Americans. To see the response over the Nobel Peace Prize, says it all to me.

[Parker CA]

30. Thankfully Obama is extremely steadfast and persistent with his goals and intentions.

He will get these things done, it will take time, yes, but he will get them done.

[vaberella]

35. Exactly. And I'm telling you when DOMA and DADT get repealed...

We might have people start campaigning for him to stay three terms early.

[akbacchus_BC]

25. I am looking and I am in tears when PO mentioned that he will end

DADT and DOMA

Go America, Go President Obama and the good people of America who are eager to end discrimination against all minorities.

Thanks for this OP

Edit to add that I clapped so hard, I scared the cat!

[vaberella]

29. I hope someone is taping it so I can watch it over and over again. I'm crying too. n/t

[akbacchus_BC]

36. I hope so too as it is a keepsake. I am in awe of your President

and am another foreigner (actually neighbour) who love and respect this President. He will get things done even though he inherited a boatload of crap.

[vaberella]

44. Hello fellow fangirl. He's the best. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

54. vaberalla, am a total fan of your President, so much so that I took

vacation days on Nov. 4 and the Inauguration Day. So far, your President have never ceased to awe me in his diplomacy and commitment to American and world values. He is loved across the world.

I sometimes wonder how he manages to cope with all the hatred directed towards him, he is powerful as the President of the US no matter some look to undermine him, but he is still a human being with a young family, and he still manages to smile, continue with his policies and move on. My heart bleeds when I see the negative things circulating about him.

One thing I know, his supporters have his back and I love him and his family.

[Garbo 2004]

HRC said it will post the speeches later tonight on its blog site here:

http://www.hrcbackstory.org/

[akbacchus_BC]

39. Thanks so much for that link, looking forward to checking it out

[Garbo 2004]

58. C-SPAN now has full speech in streaming video:

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/10/10/HP/R/24123/Pres+Obama+addresses+gay+rights+group+on+ending+discrimination.aspx

Also, HuffPo now has youtube vid of speech, but in 3 parts:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/10/obama-hrc-speech-video-pr_n_316529.html

[vaberella]

42. Thanks for letting me know. The best to you. n/t

[Cha]

53. Thanks, Garbo.

[nolabear]

28. How wierd is it that I'm astounded by his respect and compassion?

Oh, right. Because People have had to put up with disrespect and disregard.

I hope this is the beginning of a new day.

[vaberella]

32. It's been the beginning since we voted for President Obama. n/t

[firedupdem]

31. Beautiful....

he has called on congress to repeal these laws, now we need to get busy!

[vaberella]

34. We needed to get Health care out of the way. I'm waiting for Cheney to come out and support O.

Damn, now we have Repubs on the band wagon those in Congress and former Congressmen calling for Healthcare Reform eveyrything else is going to get done. DADT and DOMA won't meet drama except from idiots on the far right and most of them have gay family members anyway. You'll even see Cheney support Obama on repealing those two.

[Withywindle]

37. WOW.

:cry:


It's hard for me. I admire this man so much and want to keep doing so. Yet I've been furious at the things he HASN'T done, more than anything he has. So I want to keep on being mad, because that inspires me to keep laying on the pressure, etcetera.

But wow. I know he's a powerful and eloquent speaker, that's not a revelation.

It's just the simple fact that a President of the United States delivered a half-hour speech about GLBT issues to a GLBT audience, and not only did he care enough to make it great, he sounded sincerely fired up about it. It's a small thing compared to what needs to be done. But it means a lot just because it's so rare.

[HopeOverFear]

41. Well, he said to keep pressuring him

so it's okay to be moved emotionally and then keep pressuring him. One doesn't necessarily negate the other. :)

[Withywindle]

43. I know, and I intend to.

I think I'm so emotional because I think it might actually land on fertile ground. I know Obama has a long way to go on his own understanding of GLBT issues--but I also think he knows that and is willing to do the work!

What a change from the last 8 years. That's where my tears are coming from.

[vaberella]

46. I know what you mean...but it's not the end---it never was.

But I've thought this thing through. Obama said he as a President should be able to multitask....I think he has. What he never said was that he thinks Congress can multitask. It's not about just holding his feet to the fire, but the feet of all of our Reps (Repub or Dem). It's not just ignoring the Repubs and get the Dems to do everything...on some issues there will be Repubs supporting our cause. We need to keep people on the same page. When you look at most of the issues, it's not Obama or what he has or hasn't done. He's sharing power with people who are set to undermine him. I think that is the most obvious. The House can't multitask, or they don't do it well. Majority of the fools who passed DOMA and DADT are still there...now imagine if any legislation was on the floor at the same time as the Health care debate was underway. We'd get nothing done. Now that the flames for health cae reform are at bay and we have old Congressional REpublicans jumping on board with even some in the House supportng a bill, not to mention Repub Senators feeling the heat of the American people and not the fools screaming. We're seeing that going to come to fruition. It's not the end, but we're seeing something good happening. With DADT and DOMA on the same page as that---there would be people really out to get us. Our Congres would get nothing done and Obama would always seem the bad guy. But this opens the door for positive legislation because Health care is close to gettng out of the way becuase 5 bills are on the floor, ready to getting merged and we have a PO almost assuredly going to be there.

Hang in there...you may not be certain at times of his actions. But he's dedicated to our cause if nothing else and I think things will get done. The war is tough, but he is also on that as well. His elimination of troops promisd by 2011 is for sureon that. Now we have to see where he stands on Afghanistan----but with an increase of troops or not....he's going to leave and that war soon enough.

[grantcart]

38. outstanding job

[annabanana]

40. Three cheers for Pres. Obama... and hugs to all my

gay brothers & sisters at DU.

[vaberella]

47. What about the others?! Hugs to all....I'd like a hug. ^_^

:grouphug:

[HopeOverFear]

49. (((((((((((VAB))))))))))))))))

[vaberella]

56. Huggies...

:hug:

[annabanana]

50. Oh mercy yes. . hugs all around!

:grouphug:

[Cha]

52. Peace and Love, baby~

:hug::grouphug:

[vaberella]

55. Huggies!!

:hug:

[Undercurrent]

51. Kudos, Mr. President!

[jenmito]

57. What a WONDERFUL and direct speech. And the audience seemed to LOVE it-

and him: "I love you!" "I love you back!" :)

[Cha]

59. ..

It feels so good around with PO receiving the NPP and now this..I missed it but will read it when posted and watch it on the yube. :hi:

[jenmito]

60. Exactly...

and you can watch it now here: http://www.hrcbackstory.org/ :hi:

[Cha]

61. Hmmm! Thank

you, jenmito..a hug to celebrate:hug:

[jenmito]

62. ...

I hope I'm not too late for you to get this: :hug:

[Cha]

64. No, not too late..I'm

still hangin' out, thanks:D

[jenmito]

67. Good...

it's nice to celebrate with you, board buddy! :)

[Cha]

68. I know, huh? We've all gone through so

much frustration together and now we've reached another plateau where we can celebrate for a wee bit until we set off on the next leg of the journey(neverending road trip!)

Cyberbud:pals:

[Historic NY]

63. Very forceful speech...a CSPAN link

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/10/10/HP/A/24123/Pres+Obama+Addressed+Human+Rights+Campaign+Dinner.aspx

[Cha]

65. Thank you, too, Historic

New York~

[Number23]

69. Historic, thank you so, so much for posting that

I'd thought the response to the President would be so much more hostile, probably from reading far too many one-sided posts here on DU. It makes me so very happy to see the members of this group respond to Obama in this way. Good grief, the love he got was ridiculous.

That was a joy to see. I swear I can feel their hope all the way here in Australia.

[Cha]

76. Hey ya, Aussie~

The love in that room was Transcending and we do have to mark this date on the calendar and see all that transpires along the way.

I loved that audience..they know how to make it happen..and wasn't Joe Solomonese the cutest thing quoting Eleanor Roosevelt and bringing full circle with President Obama?

Tipper Gore was in the house!:D

[jefferson_dem]

66. "True to form" Aravosis is upset POTUS didn't bring his magic wand with him tonight.

:eyes:

[Neecy]

70. Yes, that handy "magic wand"

Called perhaps a legislative plan, or a timetable, or anything other than empty promises we've heard before.

Even Harry Reid is begging him for leadership on DADT. Silence. Wouldn't take much of a magic wand, would it?

Maine is fighting for marriage equality right now - not a word about that. No support, no encouragement.

But hey, our mothers love us! Big of him to acknowledge that.

[Cha]

72. What a nasty nasty response..you belittle

everything.

[ruggerson]

78. Neecy

don't be a buzz kill. This thread needs to be left alone. It stands as a remarkable and bizarre cyber/sociological construct.

[Cha]

80. You tell 'em..

You know all about everything.

[Neecy]

88. Bizarre is certainly the word for it.

Surreal is another..

[Cha]

74. Oh Fuck aravosis..he's a proven idiot and he'll never

stop proving it.

[Obamacare]

83. Great speech

I love this man, I never thought I'd be saying that about any President, but Obama is in a league of his own!! Thanks for the link!

[Cha]

71. I just saw the Speech! WHOA! That was some

Emotional 30 minutes!:cry::) I am so proud of the president..he's such a sweetheart and we deserve him:loveya:

[firedupdem]

73. Wasn't it something? How people can deny that this man truly

cares is beyond me.

[Cha]

75. Yeah, what makes someone

in a perpetual pissing mode?

[Clio the Leo]

77. There is a reason why I saved this......

"Sandy,

Thanks for the wonderful and thoughtful letter. It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time complete (partly because it needs Congressional action) I intend to fulfill my commitment.



While it sounds like a letter that could have been written yesterday, it was written May 3rd.

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21386

[Cha]

79. It's getting closer!..

There was so much poignant joy in that room and in my room and together we will all make it happen.

As PO said tonight.."The Shepards never gave up and now The Matthew Sheppard Act has its overwhelming vote in the House and PO will sign it into LAW.

<snip>

Update on the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement
Hate Crimes Prevention Act
October 8, 2009

The Matthew Shepard Foundation applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for its overwhelming vote to grant final House passage today to the Defense Authorization Bill which includes the Matthew Shepard Act, adding sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to the existing federal law prohibiting crimes motivated by bias against citizens belonging to a minority.

<more>
http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/PageServer

[vaberella]

82. That's our Pres. Good save. n/t

[Hekate]

85. OMG you guys I am so glad I dropped by. I caught the speech live almost by accident...

... and the only thing that kept me from being swept away by it was fear of what I might read at DU when I checked in later (as it happens, much MUCH later). I know how much anger among LGBT DUers there has been about Obama's perceived procrastination.

So here I sit with a nightcap (almost 2 am on the Left Coast) and I read this thread. I'm about halfway through as I write this.

YOU are moving me to tears. Thank you for seeing what I see. Thank you for keeping the faith even when it is damn hard. (Thanks to those who dropped by the Party Thread, too. ;-) )

He did say to keep the pressure up. "Keep those cards and letters coming, folks!" as they used to say on the radio. Oh yeah. We still have work to do.

:grouphug:

Hekate

[JNelson6563]

86. I watched it and was blown away!

Really strong stand for gay rights. The wingers are going to have a collective stroke over what he said tonight. He will draw endless fire over it. Yet so many from that community just kinda yawn and roll their eyes. Has there ever been such strong, definitively support statements on this topic from a President? I think that he's willing to take such a stand and the heat that goes with it is something. So I wonder what the less-than-impressed LGBT community will do while he's endlessly attacked for standing up for human rights for all.

Hopefully more than unreccing posts on DU.

Julie

[justiceischeap]

87. I am part of the less-than-impressed LGBT community and I have a right to be underwhelmed

First we had Bill Clinton say he was going to end the ban on gays in the military and we got DADT. Then during his presidency we got DOMA. Fortunately the Federal Marriage Act was defeated whilst Shrub was President. We have a perfect storm of sorts until 2010. We control the Senate and the House and we have a President that has vowed to pass a Hate Crimes Bill (which looks to be passed some time next week), we have a President who promised during his campaign to end DADT and to offer some sort of federal marriage recognition for gays (even if they won't call it marriage -- separate but equal much?) So, we have this window of time that with each passing day gets smaller.

There are no guarantees we will hold the House of Senate come mid-term elections and if we lose either, we can forget about any progress Obama wants us to wait on. So yeah, until we see some positive momentum, some of us are going to be less-than-impressed with rhetoric we've already heard. There comes a time when people need to see some action to believe the words.

I don't overlook the fact that Obama went to that dinner last night and ate some humble pie and admitted he knows the gay community is upset with him. However, at this point, how do we know that he isn't just trying to secure the gay voting bloc? We don't and that's what makes me uneasy. I'm originally from the "Show Me state" so I need to see definable action that affects me.

[IndianaGreen]

89. The more reason why we must pressure Obama to make his deeds match his lofty words

A relationship in which one partner's sweet words are more than surpassed by his or her infidelity, is not a relationship that will last very long.