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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsState of the Union: These 3 Words Were Used For First Time Ever
Three groups of people had never before been mentioned explicitly in a State of the Union address.Among the usual laundry list of American priorities and constituencies, the State of the Union address for the first time explicitly included lesbians, bisexual and transgender people.
It might be surprising, but never before had any president used the words "lesbian," "bisexual" or "transgender" when talking to the huge audience that watches the annual State of the Union. The reference came Tuesday as part of President Obama's description of the values that make us American.
"As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we're threatened," the president said, adding later, "That's why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they are the right thing to do, but because ultimately they will make us safer."
Advocates cheered their direct inclusion in the speech, saying it makes all talk about Americans inherently more inclusive throughout the speech.
http://www.advocate.com/politics/2015/01/20/state-union-these-2-words-were-used-first-time-ever
Thank you Mr. President.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)marym625
(17,997 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)It was the first time I remember getting a shout-out from a president
GP6971
(31,106 posts)joshcryer
(62,265 posts)Cha
(296,780 posts)"As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we're threatened," the president said, adding later, "That's why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they are the right thing to do, but because ultimately they will make us safer."
William769
(55,142 posts)Cha
(296,780 posts)you, William!
sheshe2
(83,637 posts)He aced it William. I am so proud that he is our President. He blew me away tonight.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)arthritisR_US
(7,283 posts)always advocated for humanity. To not represent those individuals in all their beauty would have been to deny humanity. Dignity for all.
Hekate
(90,538 posts)alp227
(32,004 posts)aaaaAAAAAAaaaaAAAAAaaaaaAAAAACK!
sheshe2
(83,637 posts)Damn I love this President!
Thank you Mr President~
William
William769
(55,142 posts)I have spent the evening over there house cleaning & updating software and have not had time to read. It ran on auto pilot for far to long.
sheshe2
(83,637 posts)You have stuff to do! I hate housecleaning, yet it is a painful necessity.
Take it easy please.
So glad to see you here William. I love this Op~
Cha just mentioned Obama saying he had a drop the mic moment~
Well here is a pic or two.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)It's about time, and good job Mr. President!
William769
(55,142 posts)And of course in 2004 pResident Bush used it in his State Of The Union to help cement all the Constitutional Bans on Marriage Equality that sprung up during his time trying to destroy America.
G_j
(40,366 posts)Aristus
(66,275 posts)I'm delighted to hear it went well. Proud of our President!
sheshe2
(83,637 posts)My dear friend. It was awesome!!!!
Aristus
(66,275 posts)I was helping my kids and grandkids move out.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)certainot
(9,090 posts)Last edited Wed Jan 21, 2015, 01:57 PM - Edit history (1)
a buddy just called to point that out the same in your diary
but didn't he also say "save the planet"?
i was doing something so i may have misheard, but that's just nutty fantastic
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)But all anyone is talking about is bread bags........
William769
(55,142 posts)They are using those bread bags to catch the foam from their mouths.
Response to William769 (Original post)
Corruption Inc This message was self-deleted by its author.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Nicely done!
oberliner
(58,724 posts)This is the civil rights struggle of the current generation. And some serious progress has been made relatively quickly.
Remember even during the Clinton (Bill) presidency how dangerous it was to dip a toe in these waters for politicians.
I am impressed with how far we've come.
Initech
(100,029 posts)tooeyeten
(1,074 posts)Those words can never be taken back, will be in the history books forever!