President Barack Obama surprised a gay Michigan couple with a special invite. Kent and Diego Love-Ramirez were invited by the president for a Father’s Day celebration at the White House on June 14, as the Lansing State Journal reports.

The two fathers have a two-and-a-half year old son named Lucas, whose birth they were both present for. Diego cut the umbilical cord and Kent was first to hold Lucas after his birth in 2011. What makes Obama’s invite particularly special is the fact that Michigan doesn’t have second parent adoption.

Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

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On November 6, 2012 at approximately 11:18pm ET/8:18pm PT the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was awarded a second term by the American people. Below is the official transcript of President Obama’s speech in Chicago, Ill.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON ELECTION NIGHT

McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois

12:38 A.M. CST

THE PRESIDENT: Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward. (Applause.)

It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression; the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope — the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family, and we rise or fall together, as one nation, and as one people. (Applause.)

Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come. (Applause.)

I want to thank every American who participated in this election. (Applause.) Whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time — (applause) — by the way, we have to fix that. (Applause.) Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone — (applause) — whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard, and you made a difference. (Applause.)

I just spoke with Governor Romney, and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign. (Applause.) We may have battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply, and we care so strongly about its future. From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service, and that is a legacy that we honor and applaud tonight. (Applause.)

In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward. (Applause.)

I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, America’s happy warrior — (applause) — the best Vice President anybody could ever hope for — Joe Biden. (Applause.)

And I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago. (Applause.) Let me say this publicly — Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you, too, as our nation’s First Lady. (Applause.) Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes, you’re growing up to become two strong, smart, beautiful young women, just like your mom. (Applause.) And I’m so proud of you guys. But I will say that for now, one dog is probably enough. (Laughter.)

To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics — (applause) — the best. The best ever. (Applause.) Some of you were new this time around, and some of you have been at my side since the very beginning. But all of you are family. No matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the history we made together, and you will have the lifelong appreciation of a grateful President. Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill, through every valley. (Applause.) You lifted me up the whole way. And I will always be grateful for everything that you’ve done and all the incredible work that you put in. (Applause.)

I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly. And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics who tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos, or the domain of special interests. But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies, and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late at a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you’ll discover something else.

You’ll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer who’s worked his way through college, and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity. (Applause.) You’ll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who’s going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift. (Applause.) You’ll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse who’s working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job, or a roof over their head when they come home. (Applause.)

That’s why we do this. That’s what politics can be. That’s why elections matter. It’s not small; it’s big. It’s important.

Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy. That won’t change after tonight — and it shouldn’t. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty, and we can never forget that as we speak, people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today. (Applause.)

But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America’s future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers — (applause) — a country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.

We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt; that isn’t weakened by inequality; that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet. (Applause.)

We want to pass on a country that’s safe and respected and admired around the world; a nation that is defended by the strongest military on Earth and the best troops this world has ever known — (applause) — but also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.

We believe in a generous America; in a compassionate America; in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant’s daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag. (Applause.) To the young boy on the South Side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner. (Applause.) To the furniture worker’s child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a President. That’s the future we hope for. That’s the vision we share. That’s where we need to go. Forward. (Applause.) That’s where we need to go.

Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It’s not always a straight line. It’s not always a smooth path. By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won’t end all the gridlock, or solve all our problems, or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus, and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin.

Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over. (Applause.) And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you. I have learned from you. And you’ve made me a better President. With your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do, and the future that lies ahead. (Applause.)

Tonight, you voted for action, not politics as usual. (Applause.) You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together: reducing our deficit; reforming our tax code; fixing our immigration system; freeing ourselves from foreign oil. We’ve got more work to do. (Applause.)

But that doesn’t mean your work is done. The role of citizen in our democracy does not end with your vote. America has never been about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together, through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self-government. (Applause.) That’s the principle we were founded on.

This country has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that’s not what makes us strong. Our university, culture are the envy of the world, but that’s not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on Earth — the belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another, and to future generations; that the freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for comes with responsibilities as well as rights, and among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America great. (Applause.)

I am hopeful tonight because I have seen this spirit at work in America. I’ve seen it in the family business whose owners would rather cut their own pay than lay off their neighbors, and in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see a friend lose a job.

I’ve seen it in the soldiers who re-enlist after losing a limb, and in those SEALs who charged up the stairs into darkness and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them, watching their back. (Applause.)

I’ve seen it on the shores of New Jersey and New York, where leaders from every party and level of government have swept aside their differences to help a community rebuild from the wreckage of a terrible storm. (Applause.)

And I saw it just the other day in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his eight-year-old daughter, whose long battle with leukemia nearly cost their family everything, had it not been for health care reform passing just a few months before the insurance company was about to stop paying for her care. (Applause.) I had an opportunity to not just talk to the father, but meet this incredible daughter of his. And when he spoke to the crowd, listening to that father’s story, every parent in that room had tears in their eyes, because we knew that little girl could be our own. And I know that every American wants her future to be just as bright.

That’s who we are. That’s the country I’m so proud to lead as your President. (Applause.) And tonight, despite all the hardship we’ve been through, despite all the frustrations of Washington, I’ve never been more hopeful about our future. (Applause.) I have never been more hopeful about America. And I ask you to sustain that hope.

I’m not talking about blind optimism — the kind of hope that just ignores the enormity of the tasks ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. I’m not talking about the wishful idealism that allows us to just sit on the sidelines or shirk from a fight. I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us, so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. (Applause.)

America, I believe we can build on the progress we’ve made, and continue to fight for new jobs, and new opportunity, and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founding — the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, or what you look like, or where you love — it doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white, or Hispanic or Asian, or Native American, or young or old, or rich or poor, abled, disabled, gay or straight — you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try. (Applause.)

I believe we can seize this future together — because we are not as divided as our politics suggest; we’re not as cynical as the pundits believe; we are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions; and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and forever will be, the United States of America. (Applause.) And together, with your help, and God’s grace, we will continue our journey forward, and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on Earth. (Applause.)

Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States. (Applause.)

END 12:58 A.M. CST

Source: White House Office of Communications

The post Transcript: President Obama’s election night speech first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Now that Barack Obama has secured another four years in the White House, his next task is deciding what he is going to accomplish while he is there. The list of possibilities is long; here are just six priorities in no particular order, a combination of new needs and of promises he made in 2008 that he has not fulfilled. (In some cases he did try to keep a promise, but was stymied by an intransigent legislature; nevertheless, having good intentions is not the same as enacting a good law, and these policies are too important to let drop.)

1. Sick Leave

Millions of Americans are in danger of losing their jobs if they take so much as one day off because they are sick or need to care for an ill family member. The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects employees who take up to 12 weeks off for medical reasons, but the FMLA covers only employers with 50 or more employees — plus, those are 12 unpaid weeks. Many workers can’t afford to forgo their pay should they fall ill.

Read more at Care2.com

Care2 is the largest online community of people passionate about making a difference.

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President Obama won re-election to the White House for a second term on Tuesday evening, according to major media outlets, bringing to an end a tumultuous campaign against Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Media outlets, including NBC News, CBS News and Fox News, declared Obama the winner at about 11:15, around 15 minutes after the polls closed on West Coast. The victory was the result of Obama picking up wins in Ohio and Iowa, although other swing states remained too close to call.

In a tweet just as the election was called, Obama thanked his supporters, saying, “This happened because of you. Thank you.”

Read more at Washington Blade

Washington Blade is America’s leading gay news source.

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A gay Democratic political strategist who helped President Obama win a blowout victory in 2008 is predicting another big win for him in 2012 as the national polls published just before Election Day show a tight race, but are generally favorable to Obama.

Steve Hildebrand, the deputy national campaign director of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, said in response to an email inquiry from the Washington Blade that he’s expecting a wide margin of victory for Obama in the Electoral College.

“Obama wins 347-191,” Hildebrand wrote. “After Romney chose Paul Ryan as his running mate and his 47 percent comments, he was never able to convince a majority of voters that he would be on their side. He will lose what could have been a winnable race.”

Read more at Washington Blade

Washington Blade is America’s leading gay news source.

The post Signs favorable for Obama victory first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Two of the world’s biggest gay icons are professing their support for President Barack Obama in unique ways.

In two separate interviews including an appearance on “Chelsea Lately,” Jane Lynch revealed her election-themed Halloween costume that all but spelled out her political affiliation.

Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

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Television personality/high-end jewelry designer, Lauren Bedford Russell of Showtime’s “The Real L Word” goes beyond fashion into the front line of political activism.

The accessory guru launched a brand new collection dubbed the Obama “FORWARD” bracelets inviting people to rock their political statement around their wrist and make a bold impression on culture and politics beyond fashion and trends.

The silver alloy Obama “Forward” bracelets were exclusively designed to endorse the Obama presidential campaign and its commitment to LGBT rights. 10 percent of proceeds are donated to the Barack Obama campaign.

At the helm of Lyon Fine Jewelry, Lauren’s goal is not only to stress the importance of accessorizing, but also to create statement pieces to spark conversations about important topical events such as the current race to the White House, and engage people to take action, stand up, speak up, shout out, make a statement to make a difference.

Blending fashion and politics is certainly nothing new. Many fashion icons spearheaded the concept of using clothing as a political tool, notably Jacqueline Kennedy. Likewise, Lauren Bedford Russell uses her creativity as a force for social change and a platform to promote “forward” thinking.

Russell isn’t only breaking the mold with her designs — she’s also using her jewelry to be in the vanguard of social and political activism, and vigorously champions causes that are close to her heart. Her civil right activism and philanthropic pursuits translated into her hugely popular Equality and Rock the Vote bracelets, which celebrities in the likes of Kelly Osborn, Adam Lambert, Jason Mraz, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Perez Hilton, Kevin Jonas, Cyndi Lauper, Judd Nelson, Wilmer Valderrama and Lance Bass (among many more) are rocking around their wrists.

With features on MTV’s Style, Curve Magazine, People.com, Coco Perez, Riviera Magazine, and more, LYON has quickly blossomed to become one of the hottest and most sought after jewelry lines in the country today, and is now certainly leading the forefront of innovation and design in jewelry.

Lauren Bedford Russell is the daughter of iconic economist Richard Russell whom for over 50 years wrote the legendary news letters about the stock market called the Dow Theory Letters; and the sister of accomplished actress Betsy Russell better known as “Jill Tuck,” the ex-wife of the Jigsaw Killer in the “Saw” movie saga.

With a degree in Business and Gemological studies as well as a year sketching for Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, she successfully launched her Lyon Fine Jewelry in 2011, which continues to set the standard in the world of luxury jewelry designing.

The post ‘Real L Word’ star combines fashion, politics first appeared on Lesbian.com.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday cited marriage rights for same-sex couples in his decision to endorse President Obama’s re-election campaign.

“When I step into the voting booth, I think about the world I want to leave my two daughters, and the values that are require to guide us there. The two parties’ nominees for president offer different visions of where they want to lead America,” he wrote in column posted to his website. “One recognizes marriage equality as consistent with America’s march of freedom; one does not. I want our president to be on the right side of history.”

Bloomberg endorsed the president less than a month after he donated $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the campaign defending Maryland’s same-sex marriage law in the Nov. 6 referendum. The Johns Hopkins University alum has also given $500,000 to efforts in support of nuptials for gays and lesbians in Maine, Minnesota and Washington.

Read more at Washington Blade

Washington Blade is America’s leading gay news source.

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An Obama administration official on Saturday confirmed the president’s support for legislation that prevents the federal government from denying same-sex couples the same protections received by their straight counterparts. The same official also repeated that the president supports three ballot initiatives in separate states legalizing gay marriage, and opposes a constitutional amendment in Minnesota that would ban it.

The reiteration of the president’s gay marriage plank comes at a time when neither campaign is actually litigating the issue (at least not publicly). But on Friday, the president was pressed on the matter during an interview with MTV. According to ABC News, he “demurred” when pressed as to whether he saw a federal role in advancing gay marriage during his second term.

Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

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Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and singer Pink are set to appear with President Obama at a fundraiser in Los Angeles. The $1,250-per-person happening is one of two events scheduled for June 6. “Glee” co-creator Ryan Murphy hosts the second, an exclusive $40,000-per-person dinner at his home, later that evening. Both are aimed at mobilizing LGBT support for the president.

DeGeneres praised Obama after his announcement earlier this month that he supports same-sex marriage. “There have been moments in history when someone has the courage to stand up for what they believe in, and that one action changes everything,” DeGeneres said. “I hope this is one of those times.”

In the days following the president’s announcement, organizers of the Los Angeles gala said that they saw an uptick in sales of tickets. They also switched to a larger venue, although those plans were in the works before Obama’s interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts in which he expressed his support for same-sex marriage.

Conservative Jewish movement sets guidelines for gay marriage/divorce
In a 13-0 vote, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has formally approved same-sex marriage ceremonies. The move comes nearly six years after lifting a ban on the ordaining gays and lesbians.

The panel of scholars approved two model wedding ceremonies and guidelines for a same-sex divorce. Rabbis can adapt the marriage ceremonies for the couples.

“We acknowledge that these partnerships are distinct from those discussed in the Talmud as ‘according to the law of Moses and Israel,’ but we celebrate them with the same sense of holiness and joy as that expressed in heterosexual marriages,” the legal opinion states.

Called the “Covenant of Loving Partners,” the Conservative same-sex marriage document bases the ceremonies on Jewish partnership law. In the covenant, the couple pledges to be faithful. A ring ceremony binds the pair.

As with heterosexual couples, Conservative rabbis should not preside at the marriage of a Jew to a non-Jew.

Corey Hart takes off the shades
It’s been early 30 years since Corey Hart came out in favor of wearing sunglasses at night. Now, the Canadian singer and straight ally has come out with a pro-gay tune, a dance re-mix of his track “Truth Will Set You Free.”

Few among his legions of fans likely realized that the 1988 song was intended as a gay-positive anthem of affirmation for anyone struggling with his or her sexuality. For one thing, the Montreal-born pop star wanted it that way. He was intentionally cryptic in the lyrics of the tune, couching the true meaning of its be-yourself-at-all-costs mantra in subtext in order to protect the close friend whose own doubt and pain had inspired the song.

Hart has swapped the contemplative soft-rock of the original for an icy club groove and pulls those themes that coursed under the original’s surface to the fore with new lyrics inspired, in part, by the 1998 murder of gay university student Matthew Shepard.

Hart will unveil the song at Toronto Pride, an appearance which will serve as his first live performance in over 10 years.

“The gay aspect of this song was an important message that I wanted to send out there, especially being a straight man — I thought it was important to say this,” Hart shared. “It was important for me to be at a gay pride event and to go out there and sing the song, and spread the message of the song because it’s a message of empowerment.”

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