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LGBT Equality: Accomplishments of the Obama Administration

“So we are all witnesses to monumental changes in this country. That should give us hope, but we cannot rest. We must continue to do our part to make progress -- step by step, law by law, mind by changing mind. And I want you to know that in this task I will not only be your friend, I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a President who fights with you and for you.” – President Barack Obama, June 2009

  • Signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, expanding federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation or gender identity
  • Signed the Affordable Care Act of 2010, a comprehensive overhaul of America’s health care system that will hold insurance companies accountable, lower health care costs, guarantee greater patient choice, and enhance the quality of care for all Americans; LGBT Americans are disproportionately uninsured, and this law will provide access to affordable coverage and protection from insurance companies that deny coverage for pre-existing conditions
  • Lifted the discriminatory ban on entry to the United States based on HIV status
  • Ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to guarantee medical decision making and visitation rights to LGBT couples
  • Signed into law the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010
  • Directed the Department of Justice to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court and declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional
  • Expanded the Family Medical Leave Act to ensure that LGBT parents and partners can take leave from work to care for their child, parent, or spouse—a right afforded to any other family
  • Removed a common barrier to safe housing by adding gender identity and expression in the Fair Housing Act
  • Led a successful international effort to gain recognition of LGBT organizations at the United Nations
  • Reversed an inexcusable U.S. position by signing the United Nations Declaration on Gay Rights, which condemns violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide
  • Signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act
  • Changed State Department policy so that transgender Americans can more easily obtain passports that reflect their true gender and ensure that same-sex married couples can use their legally married name on official State Department documents
  • Banned job discrimination based on gender identity throughout the federal government
  • Endorsed the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 to provide full partnership benefits to federal employees
  • Formed the Interagency Council on Bullying Prevention and convened the first White House Conference on Bullying Prevention and launched Stopbullying.gov, a website with resources designed to assist bullied youth and their advocates—including specific information regarding LGBT bullying
  • Eliminated the discriminatory Census Bureau policy that kept LGBT relationships from being counted, encouraging couples who consider themselves married to file that way and urging transgender Americans to identify their true gender
  • Hired and appointed a record number of qualified LGBT Americans, including several transgender appointees— the first president ever to do so
  • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Billie Jean King and the late Harvey Milk
  • Department of Health and Human Services announces an award to Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) to establish the nation’s first LGBT seniors resource center
  • Sent an administration official to the Senate to testify in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the first time any official of any administration has done so
  • Hosted the first LGBT Pride Month Celebration in White House history, and after eight years of silence under the Bush administration, resumed the tradition of issuing Presidential Pride proclamations
  • Department of Health and Human Services awards largest grant ever to an LGBT organization, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center—funds go toward combating discrimination against LGBT youth in the foster care system
  • President Obama, Vice President Biden, DNC, and White House staffs record “It Gets Better” videos
  • Department of Labor clarified definition of “son and daughter” under the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure that same-sex parents can receive parental rights to family leave regardless of legal or biological relationship
  • President Obama’s FY 2012 Budget increases funding for LGBT community priorities including anti-bullying and safe schools, suicide prevention, and HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and access to medication
Recent Updates

  • Democrats for Equality

    As Democrats, we're committed to full equality for every American. In advance of the Supreme Court's decision on the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, we've created a special "Democrats for Equality" image. Please join us and show your support by changing your social media profile pictures to the image below.

    Democrats for Equality

  • People’s rights, not politics

    Posted by
    Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Committee Chair

    As Democrats, our agenda is full equality under the law for every American.

    Last night, I attended the DNC's annual LGBT Leadership Gala — and wow was it a great night!

    Not only did we have our fabulous First Lady, Jason Collins, Sara Bareilles, and Andy Cohen in attendance, we had hundreds of Democrats fired up and ready to fight for equality.

    There is no gay agenda or straight agenda. As Democrats, our only agenda is full equality under the law for every American. Because this issue isn't about politics, it’s about people's rights.

    For so many Americans, when the President signed the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, it was personal. When he put in place hospital visitation rights for LGBT couples, it meant the world to some couples. When his administration established and developed the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy, it was life-changing. And when his administration filed a brief with the Supreme Court urging them to strike down Proposition 8, he sent the message that we as Americans will not tolerate inequality.

    Of course there is more to do. But by coming together at events like last night's and supporting the President and Democrats in Congress, we can do it.

    It is an undeniable fact that after years of dogged determination by LGBT leaders, activists and grassroots supporters, the tide is turning in our favor. But we can’t turn back for a second.

    We need to support candidates who are working toward real equality.

    Please join us and fight for equal rights for every American.

    Fight for equality

  • Only One Party Supports Equality

    This week, the Supreme Court heard two very important cases on marriage equality: Proposition 8 and DOMA. We don't know what the court will decide, but here's what we do know: There's only one party fighting to make sure every American has the right to marry the person they love.

    This week, the Supreme Court heard two very important cases on marriage equality: Proposition 8 and DOMA. We don't know what the court will decide, but here's what we do know: There's only one party fighting to make sure every American has the right to marry the person they love.

    Read More

  • VAWA signed into law

    Today, President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Act into law. This law strengthens the criminal justice system’s response to crimes against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking.

    Read More
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LGBT Equality: Accomplishments of the Obama Administration

Obama: It Gets Better
Recent Action
Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
The majority of the Armed Forces is comprised of Young Americans volunteering to defend this nation and its ideals. However, a sect of the population was forced to hide their sexual orientation in order to do so. President Obama lead the charge to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell allowing gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces to serve openly for the first time in American history.
Strengthening enforcement of human rights laws
Democrats passed the Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009, creating a special section in the Justice Department to enforce human rights laws, specifically addressing genocide and child soldier recruitment.
Strengthening protections against hate crimes
Democrats passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, giving law enforcement officials the power and tools to prosecute those who commit hate crimes.
Milestones
2011
October 1
End of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Milestone