LGBTQ news and entertainment
Check out the White House Facebook page’s new avatar in honor of same-sex marriage ruling 🙂
And while we’re at it, watch President Obama’s heartfelt speech at the White House following the historic ruling today,
#LoveWins. pic.twitter.com/s5aiwIsFz8— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 26, 2015
Speaking at an LGBT Pride Month event today, President Obama experienced the rare heckler inside the White House.
From CNN:
“Shame on you,” he told his heckler, who was protesting deportations under the Obama administration.
Obama responded, “Listen you’re in my house … it’s not respectful.”
The interruption persisted, however, and Obama asked for the heckler to be removed from the East Room.
“As a general rule I am just fine with a few hecklers. But not when I’m up here in the house,” he said, as Vice President Joe Biden clapped him on the back.
Obama said later if guests are “eating the hors d’oeuvres and drinking the booze,” they’re typically expected to listen respectfully.
Shortly after the incident, an immigration group claimed the protestor was an undocumented immigrant named Jennicet Gutiérrez, who is transgender. According to a press release, Gutiérrez was a founding member of FAMILIA TQLM, established to advocate for LGBTQ immigrants who the group says are often excluded in the immigration debate.
While most presidents experience hecklers during speeches on the road, it’s very rare for such behavior at White House functions as most guests are
Last night, President Obama took part in the 2015 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Some very funny jokes here 🙂
Sample:
“I tease Joe (Biden) sometimes, but he has been at my side for seven years, I love that man. He’s not just a great vice president, he is a great friend. We’ve gotten so close in some places in Indiana, they won’t serve us pizza anymore.”
“Rick Santorum announced that he would not attend the same-sex wedding of a friend or a loved one, to which gays and lesbians across the country responded, ‘That’s not gonna be a problem.'”
“A few weeks ago Dick Cheney says he thinks I’m the worst President of his lifetime. Which is interesting, because I think Dick Cheney is the worst President of my lifetime.”
“Michele Bachmann actually predicted that I would bring about the biblical end of days. Now, that’s a legacy. That’s big. I mean, Lincoln, Washington, they didn’t do that.”
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| Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President |
In the aftermath of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn’s suicide, a petition was created calling for the White House to speak out against so-called “ex-gay” therapy for minors. The petition garnered over 120,000 signatures.
On Wednesday, President Obama issued a statement in support of banning “conversion” therapies for minors.
Now, the While House has released a video featuring staffers talking on the very important subject.
Watch below:
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| Jay Davis, Advisor for Digital Strategy and Engagement, Environmental Protection Agency |
White House press secretary Josh Earnest addressed the recent anti-gay “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” in Indiana to reporters today.
Via MetroWeekly:
“I have seen that there are a number of private businesses and nonprofit organizations that have said that the signing of this law prompts them to reconsider doing business in the state of Indiana,” Earnest said. “All those business and some of those who are considering having conventions in Indiana have raised concerns about whether all of their employees can count on being treated fairly in Indiana.
“I think that is a testament to the kind of reaction I think a lot of people all across the country had, which is that the signing of the bill doesn’t seem like it’s a step in the direction of equality and justice and liberty for all Americans. Again, that’s not just the view of the administration, I know that’s the view of the Republican mayor of Indianapolis and a whole host of nonprofit and private sector companies who have legitimate concerns about the impact of this legislation.”
#BREAKING Secret Service Director Julia Pierson director resigns http://t.co/qI1kCT4XuP
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 1, 2014
From Jeh Johnson, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security:
“Today Julia Pierson, the Director of the United States Secret Service, offered her resignation, and I accepted it. I salute her 30 years of distinguished service to the Secret Service and the Nation.”
For the time being, Joseph Clancy will act as interim Acting Director. According to Johnson, Clancy is a former Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division of the Secret Service.
Today, as President and Michelle Obama welcomed notable LGBT media figures to the White House to celebrate Pride Month, the President surprised many during his remarks by announcing a NEW executive order banning discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of not only sexual orientation, but gender identity as well.
See below from White House transcript:
“We’ve still got a little more work to do. I’ve repeatedly called on Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Right now, there are more states that let same-sex couples get married than there are states who prohibit discrimination against their LGBT workers. We have laws that say Americans can’t be fired on the basis of the color of their skin or their religion, or because they have a disability. But every day, millions of Americans go to work worried that they could lose their job -– not because of anything they’ve done — (baby cries) — I know, it’s terrible — (laughter) — but because of who they are. It’s upsetting. It is wrong.
“The majority of Fortune 500 companies already have nondiscrimination policies to protect their employees because it’s the right thing to do and because many say it helps to retain and attract the best talent. And I agree. So if Congress won’t act, I will. I have directed my staff to prepare an executive order for my signature that prohibits discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. (Applause.)
“And I’ve asked my staff to prepare a second executive order so that federal employees –- who are already protected on the basis of sexual orientation –- will now formally be protected from discrimination based on gender identity as well. (Applause.)
“So we’ve got a lot to be proud of, but obviously we can’t grow complacent. We’ve got to defend the progress that we’ve made. We’ve got to keep on reaching out to LGBT Americans who are vulnerable and alone, and need our support –- whether it’s teenagers in rough situations to seniors who are struggling to find housing and care. (Baby cries.) I know, it’s tough. (Laughter.)”
You can watch his speech in the video below. You may need to move to the 15:00 mark.
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| White House press secretary Jay Carney |
Via Politico: White House press secretary Jay Carney is resigning his post after more than three years as President Barack Obama’s chief spokesman.
Obama personally announced the change Friday afternoon with a surprise interruption of Carney’s daily news briefing, saying that the White House aide told him back in April that he wanted to move on.
“Jay has become one of my closest friends and is a great press secretary and a great adviser,” the president said. “He has good judgment. He has good temperament and he has good heart.”
Principal deputy press secretary Josh Earnest, 39, will replace Carney at the podium in the White House Briefing Room, the president said.
President Obama invited DOMA plaintiff Edie Windsor to the France State Dinner this week and took the time to chat with her privately as he thanked her again for her courage to bring her case to the Supreme Court last summer.
From the White House blog:
“The thanks expressed by the President that day have been echoed by millions of Americans, including thousands of legally married couples who can now live their lives with greater justice and dignity – thanks to heroes like Edie Windsor who have been willing to stand up and fight for equality under the law.”