LGBT Support from the White House

During a recent interview, President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to openly endorse gay marriage. While the administration has shown support for equal rights among all citizens in the past, the president recently decided that denying marriage to all was to deny basic human rights.

"What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens," said Obama in a recent blog post.

Some inroads for LGBT equal rights were made during the current administration. Prior to this announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services were directed to require federally funded hospitals to allow visitation rights for LGBT patients. Additionally, the White House hosted its first conference on bullying prevention, including bullying based on sexual orientation.

The White House's stance on LGBT equality comes as a welcome harbinger for the National LGBT Recognition Month, or Pride Month, this June, and concurrently a step closer toward dignity and respect for all of us.