Barack Obama State of the Union Address – The Gay Excerpt

The Barack Obama speech of 2010 during the state of the union address was delivered in one of the friendliest environment. But this year it was a bit different even with the whole intergraded sitting arrangement to show unification after the Arizona shooting. There were many great moments but some things just bothered me too much not to talk about it.

The worst of them was during his talk of the military, when he said “Our troops come from every corner of this country -- they're black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American. They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim. And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love.” Here there was a small pause for applauses but who was shown not applauding the military represented that evening. Why? It’s as if their backwards thinking will never allow people to serve openly. Obama continued to day, “And with that change, I call on all our college campuses to open their doors to our military recruiters and ROTC. It is time to leave behind the divisive battles of the past. It is time to move forward as one nation.”

I’m just glad President Obama actually does practice what he preaches. Today he appointed two prominent gays to important positions in his administration and nominated an openly gay attorney to a judgeship for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Read more about Roberta Achtenberg, Jeffrey Levi and J. Paul Oetkin on LGBTQ Nation.

At Last...

First I want to congratulate Obama, Michelle and The Bidens for a day of greatness.

From this morning’s events and speeches to actually standing the whole time during the parade as the people were passing by to make sure that every single one felt the honor of having the attention of their president. To the continuous appearances they have made at each Inauguration Ball this evening.

It has been a day of much emotion for me. For a few weeks I’ve been anticipating this day and finally today change has come to this country. We will all have something to do to get this country back to its full potential and earn back the admiration of our country and in turn the world. I proudly await for my marching instructions from your/mine/our fine President.

Tonight I’ve spent some time listening to him speak at the Inaugural Balls. At each both he and Michelle were very elegant and distinct. But to hear them speak at The Youth Ball made we realize why I decide to campaign and have been so full of hope for change these past few month. As in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, today has made me realize why I’ve gotten inspired to “be the change you want to see in the world.” It’s because I’ve been dead in spirit for the last eight. I lost faith in our country and what we can do as a people.

“But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,” as Obama said earlier today. “Now let’s go change America!”