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Dear Friend:
Thank you for writing. We must stand united to protect liberty and justice for all our citizens, and I appreciate your perspective on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights.
My Administration has taken a number of steps to address issues affecting the LGBT community. Leading by example, I extended benefits to same-sex partners of Federal employees in the Civil and Foreign Services. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give all patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose who can visit them and make medical decisions. To help take on discrimination in all its forms, we are working to ensure that core Federal housing programs are open to all, and I signed landmark legislation that strengthens protections against hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We also ended the ban on entry to the United States for people living with HIV/AIDS, and we issued the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
While we have made great strides, much work remains to achieve full equality for LGBT individuals. I stand by my commitment to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and Pentagon leaders are ensuring we can change this in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and national security. I have urged Congress to pass the bipartisan Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, and I support extending the over 1,100 Federal marital rights and benefits to same-sex couples. I also support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, as well as legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Adoption rights must also be secured for LGBT families, and we need to ensure our children are free to learn in supportive environments in school. For information about my commitment to preventing bullying and harassment, along with resources for those facing bullying, visit: www.wh.gov/itgetsbetter.
To learn more about my Administration's efforts to create a more open and tolerant society, please visit: www.WhiteHouse.gov/Issues/Civil-Rights.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Dear Friend:
Thank you for writing. We must stand united to protect liberty and justice for all our citizens, and I appreciate your perspective on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights.
My Administration has taken a number of steps to address issues affecting the LGBT community. Leading by example, I extended benefits to same-sex partners of Federal employees in the Civil and Foreign Services. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give all patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose who can visit them and make medical decisions. To help take on discrimination in all its forms, we are working to ensure that core Federal housing programs are open to all, and I signed landmark legislation that strengthens protections against hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We also ended the ban on entry to the United States for people living with HIV/AIDS, and we issued the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
While we have made great strides, much work remains to achieve full equality for LGBT individuals. I stand by my commitment to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and Pentagon leaders are ensuring we can change this in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and national security. I have urged Congress to pass the bipartisan Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, and I support extending the over 1,100 Federal marital rights and benefits to same-sex couples. I also support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, as well as legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Adoption rights must also be secured for LGBT families, and we need to ensure our children are free to learn in supportive environments in school. For information about my commitment to preventing bullying and harassment, along with resources for those facing bullying, visit: www.wh.gov/itgetsbetter.
To learn more about my Administration's efforts to create a more open and tolerant society, please visit: www.WhiteHouse.gov/Issues/Civil-Rights.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
