VOICE OF THE TURTLE Online

Acting Director of Community Outreach and AWAB Council Member Attend White House Reception at Invitation of President

Washington, DC - June 22, 2010 - AWAB Acting Director of Community Outreach, Chris Boisvert, and council member, Rev. Jill McCrory attended an LGBT Pride month reception at the White House hosted by President Obama.

The invitation was made to a variety of LGBT rights organization leaders from around the nation. Many people were from state, regional or local organizations, such as Equality Florida and PFLAG Minneapolis. President Obama addressed the gathering and talked of the work to repeal don't ask don't tell, how the Department of Health and Human Services was issuing instructions that any hospital that accepted Medicare would be requited to provide visitation to LGBT families. The President also talked about his hope that ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) would be passed. The White House kicked off the month with a proclamation:

As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.

In the areas of health and security, the Obama administration listed its accomplishments which include the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the Ryan White CARE Act for people living with HIV/AIDS—including the elimination of the ban on HIV/AIDS entry into the United States. The president mandated that hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds allow people to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.

In the areas of housing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is working to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.

In conclusion, the Presidential Proclamation declared that,

…we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination…and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

Both Boisvert and McCrory were excited by the event and the contacts made. "It was an honor to be invited to the White House and to represent AWAB" Boisvert said. It was an opportunity to make more people aware of the LGBT movement of welcome and affirmation growing among Baptists, said Boisvert.


	Articles, editorial comment and stories here do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the AWAB Council or members. If you would like to share news, comments, thoughts and concerns through VOTO, you are encouraged to do so. Select the link at the bottom of this page to email an article.

	Acting Director of Community Outreach and AWAB Council Member Attend White House Reception at Invitation of President Washington, DC - June 22, 2010 - AWAB Acting Director of Community Outreach, Chris Boisvert, and council member, Rev. Jill McCrory attended an LGBT Pride month reception at the White House hosted by President Obama. The invitation was made to a variety of LGBT rights organization leaders from around the nation. Many people were from state, regional or local organizations, such as Equality Florida and PFLAG Minneapolis. President Obama addressed the gathering and talked of the work to repeal don't ask don't tell, how the Department of Health and Human Services was issuing instructions that any hospital that accepted Medicare would be requited to provide visitation to LGBT families. The President also talked about his hope that ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) would be passed. The White House kicked off the month with a proclamation: As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists. In the areas of health and security, the Obama administration listed its accomplishments which include the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the Ryan White CARE Act for people living with HIV/AIDS—including the elimination of the ban on HIV/AIDS entry into the United States. The president mandated that hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds allow people to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions. In the areas of housing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is working to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders. In conclusion, the Presidential Proclamation declared that, …we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination…and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal. Both Boisvert and McCrory were excited by the event and the contacts made. "It was an honor to be invited to the White House and to represent AWAB" Boisvert said. It was an opportunity to make more people aware of the LGBT movement of welcome and affirmation growing among Baptists, said Boisvert.

	AWAB Home Page