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Statement reveals LGBT reforms
Barack Obama
Obama administration issues statement outlining LGBT reforms
"The administration would contest a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and would work to ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexuality"
President-elect Barack Obama has released a list of changes and reforms he will make to strengthen gay rights when he takes office next year.
Published in a statement on Presidential transition website, Obama and his Vice President-elect Joe Biden have shown their commitment to supporting the gay community, especially with regard to civil unions and equal rights.
The statement said:
"Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples,
"These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights."
Notably, the statement also revealed that the administration would contest a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and would work to ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexuality.
The President-elect will also be looking to ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and also, as previously reported, will look to revoke the current law commonly known as ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ that prohibits openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people serving in the US Armed Forces.
"Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the ‘Don't ask, don't tell’ policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve.
"Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation.”
The 47 year-old Obama, who is a former member of the Illinois Senate, has also vowed to develop a national HIV/AIDS strategy within the first 12 months in office.
"Obama will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system.
"Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma - too often tied to homophobia - that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. He will continue to speak out on this issue as President."
Barack Obama will be sworn in as 44th Present of the United States of America on 20th January.
