In an inaugural first, President Barack Obama called for full equality for “our gay brothers and sisters” during his second inaugural address.
Speaking shortly after Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the oath of office, Obama alluded to the Stonewall Riots and his support for marriage equality during his 20-minute speech.
“We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall,” Obama said, repeating a phrase he used during a Barnard College commencement speech in May 2012.
“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well,” Obama added as the Supreme Court justices, who will consider two cases regarding the right of same-sex couples to marry later this year, sat feet away.
Obama’s reference to LGBT equality – from the first president to openly endorse same-sex marriage – was a historic first that did not go unnoticed.
“It was beautiful,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said of Obama’s reference to the 1969 Stonewall Riots in the same sentence as the 1848 women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y., and the 1965 civil rights march in Selma, Ala. “It was a beautiful tying together of the American tradition of making real our founders’ words.”
According to Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, the reference to Stonewall was a “testament to the valiant contributions of LGBT Americans past and present who seek nothing more than to be treated equally by the country they love.”
In a statement, Griffin said Obama’s remarks were particularly important as the momentum for marriage equality continues to build.
“As the merits of marriage equality come up for debate from state houses to the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, and a broad majority of Americans are standing up for liberty and fairness, the President’s unequivocal support for equality is a clarion call that all Americans should receive with celebration,” Griffin said.
Baldwin, who was sworn in as the Senate’s first out member earlier this month, lauded Obama’s second inaugural speech as hitting the “perfect tone.”
“I thought it was really magnificent and, I think, it was what everyone was hoping for,” Baldwin told Metro Weekly. “It was about how to bring the nation together in such difficult economic times and partisan times.”
Among those who could be seen applauding the president’s call for gay equality was Obama’s 2008 presidential opponent, Sen. John McCain.
The Arizona Republican, who opposed the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” told Metro Weekly that his applause did not signal a shift in his opposition to same-sex marriage.
“I was applauding his belief that all of us should be together,” McCain said.
Obama’s speech was not the only signal of a shifting political landscape on LGBT rights. The Rev. Luis Leon of St. John’s Episcopal Church in D.C. delivered the benediction and made reference to gay Americans.
“We pray for your blessing, because without it, we will see only what the eye can see, but with your blessing, we will see that we are created in your image, whether brown, black or white; male or female; first-generation immigrant American or Daughter of the American Revolution; gay or straight, rich or poor,” Leon said.
Leon replaced Rev. Louie Giglio, who withdrew from the ceremony shortly after an anti-gay sermon he delivered in the mid 1990s was unearthed by ThinkProgress. Four years ago, same-sex marriage opponent Pastor Rick Warren delivered the invocation despite protests from Obama’s liberal base.
Richard Blanco also delivered his poem “One Today,” becoming the first LGBT poet to participate in a presidential inauguration.
[Image: Obama takes the oath of office (Screenshot courtesy of YouTube.]
The year's nearly out. Sometimes that calls for taking sweet stock of the past months' wonderful events. Coming to the end of 2025, on the other hand, is more like getting to that denouement in the action movie where the survivors take a breath and pat each other on the back for having made it out alive. At this stage, we are Newt getting tucked-in to her Sulaco hibernation tube.
With some effort and a pinch of luck, may we all fare better in 2026 than poor Newt's end at the start of Alien 3.
Why such a shitty year? So much of it, obviously, can be laid at the feet of Lame Duck Donald. Not that he hasn't had loads of assistance in his evil efforts to erase our transgender family and friends, colleagues, and leaders during 2025. The purge, as promised, began right out of the gate on Inauguration Day.
Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud was arrested in West Palm Beach after allegedly trying to run down members of an LGBTQ running group during a meet-up in a local park. The Florida man faces two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and one count of reckless driving.
El Mahmoud could also face hate crime charges or bias enhancements for allegedly targeting the group because of their sexual orientation.
According to West Palm Beach police, El Mahmoud allegedly took offense at what he perceived as a comment about his sexual orientation when a runner asked if he was at Howard Park for the "Night Runners West Palm Beach" group's regular meet-up.
Racers, start your engines. RuPaul’s Drag Race has revealed the 14 new queens set to grace the runway for its 18th season as they vie for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar and a grand prize of $200,000.
Premiering January 2 on MTV, the season will be accompanied by another run of RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, where viewers get the chance to get an inside look at all the tea being spilt behind the scenes of the hit show.
The new season will also feature a bit of a twist from the outset. Unlike the recent spate of season-premiere episodes that feature a talent show -- remember Season 15, when the judges were somehow unimpressed with Irene the Alien’s keen ability to make a glass of ice water? -- the competition appears to be starting with a sewing challenge.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
