OBAMA ADDRESSES LGBT COMMUNITY

U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama issued an official statement supporting the American gay pride month yesterday, stating that he, too, would “join in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season.“

Along with this statement, Obama also released an open-letter to the LGBT community, addressing current and future issues.

Promising a repeal of the ‘Defense of marriage act’, (a law that nullifies the recognition of a same-sex union in the federal government) as well as implementing laws outlawing hate crimes and workplace discrimination, Obama has extended a hand to yet another minority so often ignored by the Republican candidates.

Upon bowing out of the presidential race, Hillary Clinton also acknowledged the need to protect minority rights in her final address, and thanked members of the LGBT community who had shown their support throughout her campaign.

The political power of the homosexual community has clearly been identified in this year’s U.S. Presidential race, at least by the Democratic Party.

Whether this is simply an attempt to pander to an untapped political market or a genuine attempt to improve gay rights, the publicity is at least shedding a light on the various issues that the LGBT community faces.