Obama's wife says he'll fight for gay equality

By SAMANTHA GROSS, Associated Press Writer

Barack Obama will fight for equal rights for gays just as he fought to help working-class families overcome poverty, the Democratic presidential hopeful's wife told a gay Democratic group Thursday.

Recalling his past work as a community organizer to help struggling families, Michelle Obama said he would take the same approach as president.

"Barack believes that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws," she said at a Manhattan fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council.

Michelle Obama also drew a connection between the struggles for gay rights and civil rights.

"We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union," she said at the event, held days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots between gays and New York police, and the city's annual gay pride parade.

"The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds," she said.

Touting her husband's record pushing for workplace discrimination legislation as an Illinois state senator and his support of civil unions, Obama noted her husband also had brought a call for equality to conservative groups, telling churchgoers they need to combat homophobia in the black community.

The Illinois senator opposes a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and says states should make their own decisions on the matter. He has said he's interested in ensuring that same-sex couples in civil unions get federal benefits.

His Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, also opposes a federal constitutional amendment but worked to ban gay marriage in his home state. McCain supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, while Obama has called it "counterproductive."

Michelle Obama's speech brought a standing ovation from the crowd of about 200 donors, who raised about $1.3 million, organizers said.
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Nice!

Would be great to hear this from him, too.

That's a little much to expect at this point in the game. Obama is too busy scrambling toward the center in order to win those elusive (mythical?) Middle American middle-of-the-roaders who as we all know will rear up and bolt for the Republican camp if they are confronted with any display at all of unapologetic unleavened liberal values. Maybe when he gets elected.

But you wont, is my guess, at least not now...Like Hillary, he will cling to the middle as much as he can for as long as he can to get those votes, and I agree with that strategy, I did when Hillary did it (until she swung way to the right) and I agree with Obama doing it...

winning is everything this time

I agree that winning is everything. Pretty much. but I've never been convinced that the move toward the center is vital in achieving victory. It was Democratic conventional wisdom during all the years they were regularly getting their asses kicked and I don't see why it should be seen as being any more effective or necessary now.

The main reason we're winning is only because the the Rethugs are so supremely vile and have been such a disaster that they have nothing to run on. To be fair, the 50-state strategy was a good move. And was i think opposed by much of the party leadership. The most dangerous thing to be in this life is a Democratic foot.

and yet, two nights in a row I watch letterman, he asks the crowd who ya gonna vote for, and the number of people clapping for mccain both nights, while it was a minority, was still way too many...now, most of the audience are vacationers visiting from middle america, so it is sort of understandable, but how anyone who isnt very wealthy or extremely religious could consider voting for him will be the mystery i will never understand

I think there's a war going on... Gas prices are really high right? I hear a lot of Americans don't have health insurance... Oh, no jobs or something for people... Something about the global warming... And I think the Republicans are campaigning really dirty, so that can't really take up too much of his time. With America so perfect and running smoothly, I don't see why he can't spend more time on LGBT issues. He has nothing else to do!!

Sorry about the sarcasm, Perspective people. Perspective. He knows we are here. That we have $$ and power. And he isn't going to ignore us. There are broader, more global issues that must be solved in this world to benefit everyone first. Jeez.

So just cool it gay boy. You'll get the same rights as other Americans one of these days. But unemployment's way up we've gotta get these gas prices under control before we start worrying about equality under the law for all citizens. Plus there's a war on. If you've read your history you'll know that we had to put the civil rights struggle on hold back in the Sixties what with Vietnam and all. Look, once America is back on track again and there is absolutely nothing else to worry about, then we can focus on whatever it is that's bothering you. In the meantime, I know you've got money, sooo....

Gotcha. I understand now. Don't know what i was thinking

and, sigh, the disclaimer that's sadly still necessary around here. No, I'm not a Hillary fan, never was, and yes I'm voting for Obama and against Mccain.

We're all getting our asses kicked Tyo, It sucks.

How about any time at all?



GLBT rights is part of my perspective, and like I said, IT WOULD BE NICE if he took the same stance as Michelle, not that he must or he'd better.

NOBODY tells me what my priorities and perspectives should be. Not even other queers.

I know we are CWV. Just get so tired of it.

A long time ago an older gay friend told me that we knew the underside of the Democratic bus so well that most of us could replace the muffler blindfolded. I didn't pay much attention then, but now i know what he was talking about. But you're right. It sucks for all of us.

Michelle Obama would sure make a great VP

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