President Barack Obama is touting a
list of 40 gay rights accomplishments from the past 3 years.
The
president on Friday tweeted, “What three years of progress for
the LGBT community looks like,” along with a link to the
rainbow-colored list.
Release of the list comes as the
president faces increasing
criticism for his decision not to sign an executive order which
would ban federal contractors from employment discrimination based on
sexual orientation and gender identity.
June 17, 2009: “Ordered the federal
government to extend key benefits to same-sex partners of federal
employees.”
June 29, 2009: “Hosted the first-ever
White House LGBT Pride reception.”
August 12, 2009: “Awarded the highest
civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, to Billie Jean King and Harvey
Milk.”
October 28, 2009: “Signed the Matthew
Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law.”
October 21, 2009: “Created a National
Resource Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders.”
January 1, 2010: “Banned
discrimination in federal workplaces based on gender identity.”
January 4, 2010: “Lifted the ban that
prohibited people with HIV/AIDS from entering the United States.”
March 23, 2010: “Enacted the
Affordable Care Act, reforming health care in America by lowering
costs, expanding choice, and improving health care quality.”
April 15, 2010: “Ensured hospital
visitation and medical decision-making rights for gay and lesbian
patients.”
June 22, 2010: “Released America's
first comprehensive plan to prevent and end homelessness, which
includes homeless LGBT youth.”
June 22, 2010: “Clarified the Family
and Medical Leave Act to ensure family leave for LGBT employees.”
June 9, 2010: “Allowed transgender
Americans to receive true gender passports without surgery.”
October 1, 2010: “Awarded a grant to
the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center to work
with LGBT foster youth.”
October 21, 2010: “Recorded 'It Gets
Better' video to support LGBT youth experiencing bullying.”
December 21, 2010: “Led a United
Nations measure to restore 'sexual orientation' to the definition of
human rights.”
December 22, 2010: “Signed the repeal
of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'”
March 10, 2011: “Hosted first-ever
White House Conference on Bullying Prevention in America's schools.”
February 23, 2011: “Declared the
Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and announced the
administration will no longer defend it in court.”
March 31, 2011: “Completed an
Institute of Medicine study on LGBT health, the first of its kind.”
May 27, 2011: “Issued guidance to
foster safer working environments for transgender federal employees.”
July 19, 2011: “Endorsed the Respect
for Marriage Act, a legislative effort to repeal the Defense of
Marriage Act.”
September 15, 2011: “Ended the Social
Security Administration's gender 'no-match' letters.”
August 19, 2011: “Supported lesbian
widow Edith Windsor in her suit against DOMA.”
August 18, 2011: “Clarified the
meaning of 'family' to include LGBT relationships, helping to protect
bi-national families threatened by deportation.”
September 20, 2011: “Implemented the
repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'”
September 30, 2011: “Permitted
military chaplains to officiate same-sex marriages where legal.”
October 1, 2011: “Addressed the
annual Human Rights Campaign dinner for the second time.”
October 20, 2011: “Awarded Citizen's
Medal to Janice Langbehn, lesbian mother whose story paved the way
for hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples.”
October 13, 2011: “Allison Nathan
become second openly gay appointee to be confirmed to the federal
bench under President Obama's administration.”
October 31, 2011: “Included specific
data on health needs of lesbian and bisexual women in the Health
Resources and Services Administration's 'Women's Health USA 2011'
federal report.”
November 1, 2011: “In his
presidential proclamation of National Adoption Month, President Obama
called for equal treatment for same-sex adoptive parents.”
December 6, 2011: “Created first-ever
U.S. government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses
against LGBT persons abroad.”
December 1, 2011: “On World AIDS Day,
recommitted the U.S. to creating an AIDS-free generation.”
January 8, 2012: “Announced HUD's new
rule protecting against housing discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity.”
February 2, 2012: “Announced White
House LGBT Conference Series to address issues affecting LGBT
Americans, including health, housing and safety.”
February 7, 2012: “Promoted equal
access to quality health care by enabling searches for health plans
with same-sex partner benefits on Healthcare.gov.”
February 13, 2012: “Proposed a 2013
federal budget for an economy built to last, including providing
security for the LGBT community.”
March 16, 2012: “Came out against
North Carolina's Amendment 1, which would prohibit same-sex marriage
in the state.”
March 15, 2012: “Michael Fitzgerald,
fourth openly gay nominee under President Obama, is confirmed to the
federal bench in California.”
March 2012: “Ensured transgender
veterans receive respectful care according to their true gender
through the Veterans Health Administration.”