OBAMA TO SPEAK AT GAY GROUP’S DINNER

It’s been announced that President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address an event held by a US gay rights groups in Washington.

According to the Human Rights Campaign – said to be America’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organisation – Obama will speak at its 13th annual dinner next Saturday.

“We are honored to share this night with President Obama, who has called upon our nation to embrace LGBT people as brothers and sisters,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

“It is fitting that he will speak to our community on the night that we pay tribute to his friend and mentor Senator Edward Kennedy, who knew that as president, Barack Obama would take on the unfinished business of this nation – equal rights for the LGBT community, and for every person who believes in liberty and justice for all.”

At the event, Judy and Dennis Shepard – the parents of slain gay student Matthew Shepard – will be presented with the first Edward M. Kennedy National Leadership Award.

The award is named in honour of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a champion in the fight for LGBT equality.