White House Releases Obama Family Portrait by Annie Leibovitz

Shot in September, posted to the White House Flickr stream yesterday.

Watch: Full Video of Obama White House LGBT Pride Celebration

Here is full video of Obama's remarks to those assembled in the White House East Room yesterday for a reception marking Pride month. This is a follow-up to yesterday's post, where you can see the transcript and guest list to the event.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Here is a round-up of reaction and reports on the event:

Wall Street Journal: "The president gave no new details about how he would advance these issues, but he made passionate remarks saluting the pioneers of the gay-rights movement and expressed solidarity with those working for equal rights."

NYT: "Joined by his wife, Michelle, the president directly addressed criticism from gay and lesbian leaders that he had not been a forceful advocate for them."

AP: "But the president says his administration already has made progress on several fronts and that activists will — in his words — 'have pretty good feelings' about the Obama administration when he leaves office."

CNN: "But critics say it's too little, too late."

Washington Post: "But the excitement among the several hundred guests invited by the first couple to the East Wing Monday was tempered by frustration among many who believe that the president has moved too slowly to make good on his campaign promises."

Guest Tom Gregory: "The Obama Administration assembled a group of two hundred or more of America's well-heeled leaders for equality, but like little doggies most were wide-eyed at his feet. Today's address left me wanting. The pain experienced by homosexuals is deadly tragic. Annually, thousands of American children kill themselves due to the bigotry pervasive across America. In today's speech President Obama said gay America would be happy by the time his administration is over. If he doesn't stop offering excuses and empty promises, they will be."

Guest Joan Garry:  "No president had ever invited a big bunch of us over for cocktails during Pride Month before. The event was remarkable. Historic. I was proud to be there. Proud to have my partner at my side...And of course I wanted more."

HRC: "President Obama's remarks today were welcomed and appreciated and, as he stated, it is the actions to advance equality — not simply the words — that will be the true marker by which this White House will be judged.  On the eve of this weekend’s 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the president has yet again reiterated his support for most of the critical federal issues facing millions of LGBT Americans.  We must continue the hard work of turning that support into the passage of actual laws.  We look forward to working with President Obama and his administration to advance equality, and we pledge to be good-faith partners throughout the many battles that lie ahead of us."

Log Cabin Republican spokesperson, Charles T. Moran "It is pretty entertaining to watch the President throw himself a 'Pride Party' after taking a pass on acting upon several issues that would have fulfilled his promises to our Community. I'm not quite sure what he's actually proud of. Hollow words and false promises do not define a legacy or an Administration - only actions and follow-through. This Administration has had several opportunities to show its commitment to the LGBT community and make life better for millions of Americans. Hosting this 'sideshow' reception only rubs salt in the wounds of so many that actually believed his message of 'hope & change.'"

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios: It was an honor to take part in this important event for the gay and transgender community with fellow advocates and my 17-year old son...Our community will continue to advocate and will be watching closely to ensure Obama makes good on the promises he discussed today and during the campaign. At the heart of the issues discussed today are everyday Americans who want the same chance as everyone else to earn a living, be safe in their communities, serve their country, and take care of the ones they love."

Americablog: "The President gave his speech to the big gay A-listers at the White House (well, minus those who were blacklisted). Boy, that crowd was really into it. They clapped wildly when he said the words, 'gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.' Just because he said the words. Even though Bill Clinton said those words - what? - 17 years ago? Also, your president wants you to know that unjust laws must be overturned. Some day. The crowd loved that one too. One might forget that the Obama administration defended the Defense of Marriage Act law recently. They not only defended it, they defended it in a way that demeaned and mocked same-sex marriages by invoking incest and pedophilia. But never mind."

Americablog also notes that the guest make-up was 64% men, 36% women.

Guest Rick Rosendall: "I spied Frank Kameny (whose guest I was at the event) sitting on an upholstered bench at the foot of the main staircase, and sat down next to him. I told him of a conversation I had just had: 'So I said, 'Will you support the Uniting American Families Act — Jerry Nadler's bill?' He said, 'I haven't read it yet.' I said, 'Please take a look at it,' to which he said, 'I will.'' Frank asked, 'Who said this to you?' I replied, 'The President of the United States.' Now I realize that getting the President to tell you that he'll look at a bill is not the most earth-shaking development, but if John Aravosis thinks I am going to pass up a chance to get a few moments of input to the most powerful man in the world, he can kiss my you-know-what."

Watch the full video of Obama's remarks, AFTER THE JUMP...

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #491

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Obama makes the case for Sonia Sotomayor as Supreme Court justice.

PROP 8 : Constitutional Law professor and attorney Tobias Wolff and NOM's MAggie Gallagher debate Proposition 8 and the recent announcement of a federal lawsuit challenging it.

ARIANNA HUFFINGTON: A recent profile by ABC News.

DATE NIGHT: Obama's trip to NYC with Michelle. Cost criticized by Republicans.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Thought Michelle Obama Looked Delicious

Elisabeth Hasselbeck's pregnancy cravings are really getting out of hand. Michelle Obama looked so good at TIME's 100 Most Influential People at Lincoln Center in New York that the right-wing View host appeared to want a bite of her.

Kidding aside, Obama was the evening's focus: "And it was a powerful crowd that stood to applaud her entrance, including fellow honorees Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters and her cohorts from 'The View,' financial analyst Suze Orman, fashion designer Stella McCartney, and the guys who invented Twitter. Not on the honoree list but also attending: Diane Sawyer and Charlie Rose. Actors Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler. Director Judd Apatow, 'Saturday Night Live' producer Lorne Michaels, conservative pundit Ann Coulter. In her speech, Mrs. Obama spoke of the importance of public service in her own life, and then announced that the president's budget proposal for next year will include $50 million to help promote national service and advise nonprofit groups."

She told those gathered: "Our success was made possible with the encouragement of a diligent parent or teacher, a grandparent who told us we had real talent, an older sibling who paved the way and set a good example, a scholarship or grant that created an unexpected opportunity, or a neighbor or community leader who told us to dream big. That's certainly been the case in my own life...As global leaders, let's not underestimate the power each of us has to change the world for someone -– and let us not be afraid to try."

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #458

ANAL POISONING: Rush Limbaugh says British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will get "anal poisoning" from his admiration of Obama.

KEITH OLBERMANN: Jane Velez Mitchell and Hannah Storm present Keith Olbermann with GLAAD's award for "Outstanding Journalism Segment" in New York for his special comment on Proposition 8.

THE QUEEN: Some British offended that Michelle Obama touched her shoulder.

TURTLE ATTACK: A pigeon has a bad day.

For Recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

Who Outed Jason Wu?

Jezebel reports that fashion designer Jason Wu, who designed Michelle Obama's inaugural gown, has been alleging that the New York Times outed him to his family in this profile published over the weekend:

"Minutes before Jason Wu was to become famous as the 26-year-old designer of Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown, he ordered a pepperoni and mushroom pizza from Domino’s at his apartment in Midtown, then sat down with his boyfriend, Gustavo Rangel, and a neighbor to watch the festivities on television."

Dan Savage notes: "Reporters these days operate under the assumption that men with boyfriends—particularly men in New York City, particularly male fashion designers—are out of the closet. So the New York Times really shouldn't be faulted for 'outing' designer Jason Wu to his extended family, Jezebel. Wu outed himself to and through the New York Times. The lesson here: If you're making a secret of your homosexuality it's your responsibility to keep it secret. It's not the New York Times' responsibility."

And it's not Amanda Lepore's responsibility either.

The Spotlight Finds Jason Wu [nyt]
Did The New York Times Out Obama Designer Jason Wu? [jezebel]
Please Make a Note of It [slog]