***LETTER FROM OBAMA THAT WENT UNUSED BY 'NO ON 8' CAMPAIGN***
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the opportunity to welcome everyone to the Alice B.
Toklas LGBT Democratic Club's Pridc Breakfast and to congratulate you
on continuing a legacy of success, stretching back thirty-six years. As
one of the oldest and most influential LGBT organizations in the
country, you have continually rallied to support Democratic candidates
and causes, and have fought tirelessly to secure equal rights and
opportunities for LGBT Americans in California and throughout the
country.
As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join
with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a
course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law.
That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same
sex couples under both state and federal law. That is why I support
repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell"
policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate
crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the
divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California
Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or
those of other states.
For too long. issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by
those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and
live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our
citizens with dignity and respect. This is no less than a core issue
about who we are as Democrats and as Americans.
Finally, I want to congratulate all of you who have shown your
love for each other by getting married these last few weeks. My thanks
again to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club for allowing me to be
a part of today's celebration. I look forward to working with you in
the coming months and years, and I wish you all continued success.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
