A simple word spoken by President Obama in his Tuesday State of the Union is bringing praise from the gay community.
The word: transgender.
Masen Davis, executive director of Transgender Law Center, said, “President Obama’s public recognition of transgender people in his State of the Union address was historic. While it seems like a simple thing — saying the word ‘transgender’ in a speech — President Obama’s statement represents significant progress for transgender people and the movement towards equality for all.”
In his speech, Obama said, “As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened … that’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”
It was the first time the word has been used in a State of the Union Address.
“We look forward to the administration’s continuing partnership in the work needed to enact many more critically needed federal protections and to clarify that existing laws protect transgender people from discriminatory treatment,” said Ilona Turner, legal director of the group. “Together we can continue to make real progress in this effort in the next two years.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
