Obama signs HIV/AIDS bill extension; implements lifting of AIDS travel ban
(Washington) President Barack Obama signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS bill this morning.
The legislation provides care, treatment and support services to nearly half a million people, most of whom are low-income.
Obama also announced that the Department of Health and Human services has finally crafted a new regulation spelling …
Obama picks MN woman as 1st openly gay US marshal
(Washington) President Barack Obama has nominated a Minnesota policewoman to become the first openly gay person to serve as a U.S. marshal.
Sharon Lubinski is an assistant chief in the Minneapolis Police Department, where she has worked for 20 years.
Obama has had a rocky relationship with gay activists, who want him …
Obama picks openly gay lawyer for ambassadorship
(Washington) President Barack Obama said Wednesday he planned to nominate an openly gay lawyer as the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. If confirmed by the Senate, David Huebner would become the third openly gay ambassador in U.S. history and the first pick by this administration. In a statement …
Update: Obama disses marriage law as Justice defends it
(Washington) President Barack Obama insisted Monday he still wants to scrap what he calls a discriminatory federal marriage law, even as his administration angered gay rights activists by defending it in court.
The president said his administration’s stance in a California court case is not about defending traditional marriage, but is …
Obama to award 16 with highest civilian honor
(Washington) President Barack Obama will recognize the accomplishments of actors, activists and athletes on Wednesday when he awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16 people.
Film star Sidney Poitier, civil rights icon the Rev. Joseph Lowery and tennis legend Billie Jean King are among those set to receive the medal, …
On Gay Issues, Obama Asks to Be Judged on Vows Kept
WASHINGTON — President Obama defended his policies on gay rights on Monday, telling an audience of gay men and lesbians that he remained committed to overturning the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule and that he expected to be judged “not by promises I’ve made but by the promises that my administration keeps.”
Mr. Obama made his remarks at a reception in the East Room of the White House to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the 1969 uprising that gave rise to the modern gay rights movement. Joined by his wife, Michelle, the president directly addressed criticism from gay and lesbian leaders that he had not been a forceful advocate for them.
“I know that many in this room don’t believe progress has come fast enough, and I understand that,” Mr. Obama said. “It’s not for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago.
“We’ve been in office six months now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration.”
Many lesbians and gay men supported Mr. Obama’s election, but their leaders have grown increasingly impatient and critical of him as president.
See On Gay Issues, Obama Asks to Be Judged on Vows Kept
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Obama chooses Ala. doctor as next surgeon general
(Washington) President Barack Obama turned to the Deep South for the next surgeon general, choosing a rural Alabama family physician who made headlines with fierce determination to rebuild her nonprofit medical clinic in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Dr. Regina Benjamin is known along Alabama’s impoverished Gulf Coast as a country …
Source: Benefits for govt workers’ gay partners
(Washington) President Barack Obama, whose gay and lesbian supporters have grown frustrated with his slow movement on their priorities, is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, a White House official said.
Obama planned to announce his decision Wednesday in the Oval Office, the official said. The official spoke on …
Pentagon to continue DADT discharges
(Washington) President Barack Obama’s top military adviser says the Pentagon has enough challenges – including two wars – without rushing to overturn a decade-old policy that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military and incites political and social factions on both sides.
Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the …
Obama taps NYC health commissioner to head CDC
(Washington) President Barack Obama on Friday appointed Dr. Thomas Frieden as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, turning to New York City’s health commissioner to deal with the swine flu outbreak and other major health issues.
Frieden has served as commissioner for the past seven years, where he …
