President Obama Congratulates Lambda Legal: VIDEO

Yesterday, Ari noted that Mayor Bloomberg had declared yesterday 'Lambda Legal Day' in NYC. President Obama also had some kind words for the country's oldest and arguably most important LGBT legal services organization, and related them in a special video. Lambda Legal is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Obama on Immigration Reform: 'The LGBT Community Should Be Treated Like Everybody Else' - VIDEO

In a press conference which included a wide range of topics, President Obama told reporters in Costa Rica last night that he supports LGBT-inclusive immigration reform because it's "the right thing to do" but admitted he was uncertain about what might happen with the provision.

Said Obama:

"The LGBT community should be treated like everybody else. That's the essential core principle behind our founding documents. The idea that we're all created equal and we're equal before the law...And so Senator Leahy may present this provision in committee, it may be presented on the floor. It will be one of many amendments and provisions, some of which I support. Some of which I think are really bad ideas...I can tell you I think that the provision is the right thing to do. I'll also tell you that I'm not going to get everything I want in this bill. Republicans are not going to get everything they want in this bill."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

President Obama Called Jason Collins, Praised Him for Courage

President Obama called NBA center Jason Collins today after news broke that the pro basketball player had come out of the closet, the AP reports:

Obama told Collins he was impressed by his courage. That's according to a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the private conversation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Earlier Monday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Collins' decision was another example of progress and evolution in the U.S. as Americans grow more accepting of gay rights and same-sex marriage.

And First Lady Michelle Obama also offered her support via Twitter:

"So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo"

White House Praises Jason Collins for 'Courage' in Coming Out: VIDEO

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked if Obama had any remarks about NBA player Jason Collins' decision to come out of the closet. Carney said he had not talked to the President about it but offered these remarks:

"Here at the White House we view that as another example of the progress that has been made and the evolution tha has been taking place in this country, and commend him for his courage and support him in this effort, and hope that his fans and his team support him going forward."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

This Year's White House Correspondents' Dinner: Videos

Did you watch the White House Correspondents' Dinner? If not, you missed President Obama make quips about himself (“I’m not the strapping young Muslim Socialist that I used to be") and Conan O'Brien put the jokes aside for a brief moment and thank the President for visiting Boston (his hometown) following this month's attacks in that city.

You can watch both Obama's full 20-minute set and O'Brien's near 30-minute routine AFTER THE JUMP.

Also AFTER THE JUMP are two other clips which played during the dinner; one of Steven Spielberg's fictionalized film entitled Obama and a well conceptualized, yet protracted House of Cards spoof featuring Kevin Spacey and a slew of politicians.

What did you think?

W.H. Press Secretary Can't Think of an Action Obama Has Taken in the Past Year to Support ENDA: VIDEO

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked yesterday by the Washington Blade's Chris Johnson about the President's commitment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which is being introduced in Congress this week.

Said Carney:

"The administration will continue to work to build support for this important legislation because we believe that this is the right way, the right approach to take, because it is inclusive and that’s why we supported it then, that’s why we’re glad to see it being reintroduced."

When asked for "one thing" the President has done in the past year to build support for ENDA, Carney couldn't really say:

“His support for this specific legislation, I think, is reflected in the fact that it’s being introduced, as you said, in the House and the Senate. And he will work with like-minded lawmakers who support movement on this legislation to see it pass and ultimately signed into law. That’s how this process works. This is the approach the president thought was the right one to take and he’s encouraged by the progress being made.”

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

In a piece by Reuters last week which noted the White House's sluggishness on the issue, Lambda Legal's Jon Davidson said "there's more that he can do" and in March, 110 House lawmakers signed a letter calling for Obama to bypass the languishing legislation and issue and executive order protecting LGBT workers from discrimination.