The LGBT and Obama: A last look at his legacy
On the eve of the national elections, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has released a video highlighting the progress made by the LGBT and Obama administration in the fight for greater LGBT rights.
The video also details how Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton will be the one to continue President Obama’s legacy.
With that mind, here’s a look back at the progress achieved in the struggle to push for greater LGBT rights during President Obama’s administration:
The achievements of the LGBT and Obama
From the time President Obama first took office, some of his administration’s major pro-LGBT achievements include:
1. Pushed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act through a partisan Congress in 2009, which extends “coverage of Federal hate crimes law to include attacks based on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity”;
2. Opened the door for the State Department in 2009 to “extend the full range of legally available benefits and allowances to same-sex domestic partners of members of the Foreign Service sent to serve abroad”;
3. Included in the Affordable Care Act that insurance companies can’t discriminate against the LGBT while those with HIV and AIDS can easily get Medicaid and private health insurance;
4. Supported legislative efforts to ban “conversion therapy” against minors as well a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) condemning the practice;
5. Repealed the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the US military on 2010;
6. Through the Department of Justice, did not defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) before the high court in 2011, after which the Supreme Court deemed the act unconstitutional;
7. Signed an Executive Order in 2014 prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against their employees “because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin”;
8. Through the Department of Education, had published the Examples of Policies and Emerging Practices Guide for Supporting Transgender Students;
9. Through the Department of Justice, had guidance issued to Federal prosecutors to “enforce criminal provisions in the Violence Against Women Act in cases involving same-sex relationships”; and,
10. Through the Department of the Interior, had pushed for aNational Park Service “theme study” to determine places and events linked to the LGBT civil rights struggle.
The LGBT and Obama’s legacy
With this video, the HRC reminded LGBT voters that there needs to be someone to ensure President Obama’s legacy will continue.
“President Obama is the greatest champion for LGBTQ equality to ever occupy the Oval Office. But all the gains we’ve made in the last eight years– all our historic progress– is at risk this election,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.
“Donald Trump threatens to roll back every single victory we’ve achieved. We must preserve, honor and advance President Obama’s legacy by doing everything we can to make Hillary Clinton our next commander in chief,” Griffin said.
Check out the HRC video below: