''Welcome to your White House! ... This struggle, I don't need to tell you, is incredibly difficult, all though, I think it's important to consider the extraordinary progress that we have made.... Though we have made progress, there are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes, who fail to see your families like their families.... We know that progress depends, not only on changing laws, but also changing hearts. And that real transformative change never begins in Washington....
''I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough. And I understand that. It's not for me to tell you to be patient.... We have made progress and we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect, and hope, to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises my administration keeps. We've been in office six months now, and I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think that you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration....''
''I've called on Congress to end the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in this country. Now, I want to add, that we have a duty to uphold existing law. But I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty, in upholding the law, in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law.''
President Barack Obama speaking at a White House reception for about 200 LGBT leaders & their supporters. His wife Michelle was at his side during the 18-minute speech in which he briefly addressed a number of issues of importance to the gay community including Defense of Marriage Act; Don't Ask, Don't Tell; a hate crimes bill named for Matthew Shepard; benefits for partners of Federal workers; a special thank you to Frank Kameny, and a commemoration of the protests at the Stonewall Inn which occurred 40 years ago this week. President Obama did not address same-sex marriage and did not take any questions at the podium. (C-SPAN)
