National Stonewall Democrats responds to Obama’s first State of the Union, call for action on DADT and ENDA

Washington, DC - Tonight, National Stonewall Democrats commend President Barack Obama for calling for the end of the policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. We are concerned that President Obama did not address workplace discrimination during his first State of the Union address to Congress.

During his address, President Obama pledged that this year, he would “work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are,” saying “it’s the right thing to do.” Despite the speech’s focus on the economy and job creation, President Obama did not address workplace discrimination or the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the bill aimed at expanding workplace protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Said Michael Mitchell, Executive Director of National Stonewall Democrats, “The President’s promise to work to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is encouraging, and his inclusion of the issue in his first State of the Union draws much needed attention to this egregious and discriminatory policy. But it’s time for concrete action. We applaud the President’s promise and now call on Congress to do what three-quarters of Americans support: an end to discrimination in the military.”

Mitchell also commented on the President’s exclusion of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act: “We are disappointed that another proposed law with broad support, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, was not mentioned by the President and call on Congress and this Administration to pass ENDA this year. The President said he cannot make change alone, and we agree. But we need his strong, focused leadership to shepherd these two critical bills to his desk.”

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With more than 120 local chapters, National Stonewall Democrats is the nation’s organization of LGBT and allied Democrats. Stonewall Democrats works to elect pro-equality Democrats to public office, and hold them accountable to advance the policies important to pro-equality Americans.

Press Contact:

Jenna Lowenstein

Director of Communications

(973) 769-4538

jlowenstein@stonewalldemocrats.org