Gay Chicago celebrates history as Obama becomes the 44th President

At 11:05 a.m. Chicago time, Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office to become the country’s first African-American president in a ceremony dating back to George Washington.

“We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,’ Obama told the enthusiastic crowd. ”America is ready to lead once more.”

An estimated 2 million people, the largest inauguration audience, crowded the National Mall to witness Obama’s swearing in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, using the same Bible that Lincoln used at his own swearing in on March 4, 1861.

“The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
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Obama says ‘all are equal’ – But no mention of gays in inaugural address

President Barack Obama said in his inaugural address that “all are equal,” but omitted a frequent stump-speech reference to gay Americans.

“The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose our better history, to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness,” he said.

Speaking more inclusively to people across the globe, Obama noted that “America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.”

The omission of a direct reference to gay Americans was a deviation for Obama, who had mentioned gays at many of his most significant stops along his way to the White House.

See Obama says ‘all are equal’ – But no mention of gays in inaugural address