In a monumental year for LGBT rights in the US, today President Obama commemorated the five-year anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gays serving in the military by saying he’s received “hundreds” of letters from previously closeted troops.
Obama signed legislation repealing the policy on Dec. 22, 2010, and he said the policy that prohibited gays from openly serving in the military “wasn’t just about living up to our ideals.”
“As commander in chief, I have no greater responsibility than keeping Americans safe. And when it comes to defending our country, we need to draw on the talents of every American — regardless of sexual orientation.”
Obama then ticked off progress his administration has made toward LGBT equality, including the landmark Supreme Court decision allowing gays to marry and expansion of the Violence Against Women Act to protect LGBT victims.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together,” he wrote on Facebook.
“But our work is not finished. From the boardroom to the locker room, LGBT Americans still face prejudice in their daily lives. In far too many states, people still live in fear of being fired from their jobs just because they’re gay. Young people struggling with their gender identities are bullied and beaten and told they don’t belong. That kind of prejudice has no place in our country, and as Americans we need to let everyone of them know that they are not alone,” he stated.
Last Updated on Dec 24, 2015
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