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August 4, 2012
Obama nominates first Asian lesbian for federal judgeship

Current president has nominated the most ethnically, sexually diverse judges than any other in US history

US President Barack Obama has nominated the first Asian-American lesbian to serve on the federal bench.

Pamela Ki Mai Chen, a seasoned civil rights prosecutor based in Brooklyn, New York, will unlikely be confirmed by the Senate until after the presidential election, the NY Daily News reports.

In a White House statement, Obama said: ‘I am proud to nominate this outstanding candidate to serve on the United States District Court bench.

July 6, 2012
The Advocate endorses Obama

The Advocate offers its seal of approval to President Obama

In  6 July editorial, LGBT news magazine the Advocate endorsed President Barack Obama.

'Barack Obama is a leader of undeniable accomplishment, vision, and integrity on LGBT rights,' the editorial says.

The magazine has not given such an endorsement in many years, and admits it had prolems with Obama's LGBT equality stategy. However, the Obama way has won many accomplishments for gay and lesbian rights.

July 5, 2012
Ohio black voters back gay marriage following Obama support

Polls reveal Ohio’s African-American voters are in favour of gay marriage after the president expressed support

Following Obama’s announcement of support in equal marriage, African-American voters in the USA state have changed their minds on the issue.

The poll, released by Public Policy Polling to the Huffington Post, returned 42 percent for and 35 percent against same-sex couples marrying.

This is an increase from the October 2011 poll which returned 63 percent against and 16 percent supporting marriage equality. 

July 4, 2012
Obama raised $9 million in first three days after supporting gay marriage

Donations from supporters immediately tripled compared to previous days

Back in 1988, the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis rejected a $1 million donation from gay donors fearing it would result in attack ads from his opponents.

Fast-forward 24 years: Barack Obama makes history with his public support of gay marriage, the first sitting US president to ever do so.

July 1, 2012
US party branches moving forward on gay rights

Democratic and Republican party local branches are sending out strong messages on LGBT rights ahead of both parties' national conventions later this year

A Democrats party branch in the US state of Kentucky has voted to call on the Democratic National Committee to formally endorse same-sex marriage and add it to the platform at the party’s 2012 national convention.

The Louisville/Jefferson County Democratic Party executive committee voted 16 to 3 to send the message to the national convention, to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the North American summer.

June 26, 2012
Obama shows his gay pride in new viral image

Designer has been met with massive demand for t-shirts so they can worn at gay pride events

A fractal rainbow image of President Barack Obama is going viral.

Created by artist Tom Vasquez from Brooklyn, New York, he said he wanted to create a tribute to Obama supporting marriage equality.

In an interview with The Advocate, Vasquez said: ‘I admire the president for taking a stand for what’s right.

‘Since creating this piece, I’ve had many requests to put it on t-shirts for Pride month and beyond.’

June 22, 2012
Obama’s gay marriage support does little to shift views

Polls remain evenly split after Obama became the first sitting president to vouch for marriage equality

President Barack Obama’s support for gay marriage has done little to shift the nation’s views on the issue, with a new poll finding the public remains evenly split.

An Associated Press-GfK survey released today (22 June) found Obama had fired up his supporters with his support for gay marriage.

More Democrats, especially young people, say they strongly approve Obama’s handling of marriage equality.

The poll found 42% of Americans oppose gay marriage, 40% support it, and 15% are neutral, and 3% were undecided.

June 15, 2012
President Barack Obama hosts LGBT Pride reception at The White House

'You have every reason and right to push loudly and forcefully for equality'

President Barack Obama talked about his 'evolution' in gay marriage and called for the US Congress to pass a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act at an LGBT Pride Month reception he hosted at The White House today (15 June).

Obama, who last month became the first sitting president in US history  to publicly support gay marriage, touched on his landmark endorsement during his remarks to guests in The East Room.

June 9, 2012
Obama lynched in effigy over gay support

US President targeted in video by Koran burning pastor Terry Jones for supporting LGBT and women's rights

Controversial Florida pastor Terry Jones has symbolically hung effigies of Uncle Sam and US President Barack Obama to protest the president’s support for gay rights and women’s reproductive rights, while claiming Obama is aiding radical Islamic groups.

Jones, who made worldwide headlines in 2010 after threatening to burn copies of the Koran to mark the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, made the comments in a video posted to YouTube on Wednesday.

June 9, 2012
Watch: Texan pastor preaches marriage equality

African-American preacher schools his congregation on their bigotry in a new viral video

An African-American pastor is seen schooling his angry congregation about marriage equality in a new video that has gone viral.

Reverend Frederick D. Haynes III of the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Texas slammed his colleagues and congregation for their outrage against President Obama’s endorsement of marriage equality.

In the six minute video posted on 7 June which already has thousands of views, Haynes tells churchgoers Obama ‘is not the pastor of the United States, he is the President of the United States.’

June 7, 2012
Ellen and Cher give Obama standing ovation over gay rights

US President Obama receives rapturous applause for his gay rights policies at campaign fundraiser in LA

US President Barack Obama received a standing ovation and rapturous applause from his lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supporters at an election campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles.

The 600 strong crowd, which included comedian Ellen DeGeneres and singer Cher, were overjoyed when the leader, who made history last month by publicly supporting gay marriage, pledged to block attempts to undo gay rights advances made under his administration.

June 5, 2012
White House race 2012: Barack Obama from zero to hero

In the second part of our 2012 election preview feature, we look how President Obama has ‘evolved’ his reputation with LGBT voters

Approximately a month ago, President Barack Obama was the mortal enemy to gay and lesbian America.

According to a number of gay bloggers, writers, and activists, the president differed little from infamous civil rights foes like Bull Connor. In 1963, the Commissioner of Public Safety for the city of Birmingham, Alabama, ordered the use of fire hoses and police dogs on peaceful protestors. No one accused Obama of putting state trained dogs on children, but 30 days ago he was as hostile to gay equality as Connor was to black voting rights.

June 1, 2012
US First Lady Michelle Obama on why she supports gay marriage

'Discriminating against same-sex couples just isn’t right'

US First Lady Michelle Obama answered a series of questions submitted to her via Twitter on Thursday (31 May) including one about her husband's recent endorsement of gay marriage.

The questioner thanks President Barack Obama for his support and wanted to know about the First Family's discussions about marriage equality.

May 24, 2012
Obama touts support of LGBT equality in new campaign video

'The fight for LGBT rights is consistent with that most important part of America's character'

President Barack Obama, facing a tough reelection fight against presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney this fall, released a new campaign video on Wednesday (23 May) highlighting his record on LGBT issues.

The video, narrated by Glee star Jane Lynch, includes footage from Obama's recent interview with ABC's Robin Roberts during which he publicly supported gay marriage as well as video of his It Gets Better video and footage from his appearance at the Human Rights Campaign dinner a few years ago.

May 13, 2012
Newsweek calls Obama first 'gay' president

Newsweek cover story hails President Obama as the first 'gay' president

Last weekend, gay activists and intellectuals in the US were wondering if President Barack Obama deserved the LGBT vote. Today? He's being called the first 'gay' president.

Blogger Andrew Sullivan's 21 May  cover story is getting early buzz before it's published. Politico.com was sent an early preview of the essay:

May 11, 2012
Obama raises just shy of $15 million at George Clooney's house

President talks to star-studded crowd about gay marriage shift: 'The truth is it was a logical extension of what America is supposed to be'

President Barack Obama raised just shy of $15 million on Thursday (10 June) at a star-studded dinner at actor George Clooney's Los Angeles home.

At the event, Obama made his first public remarks about his public endorsement of gay marriage since his original comments in an interview with ABC News.

May 11, 2012
President Obama's support of gay marriage quickly leads to spike in fundraising and enthusiasm

High-profile Hollywood and LGBT names prepare to boost campaign coffers

US President Barack Obama will be having dinner at George Clooney's home in Los Angeles tonight (10 May) at a star-studded event that is expected to raise $15 million for his reelection campaign.

With his public support of gay marriage this week, Obama arrives a hero to an energized political base that includes Hollywood heavy-hitters like Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Rob Reiner and Glee creator Ryan Murphy, among others.

May 10, 2012
Hollywood has nothing but praise for Obama on gay marriage evolution

Ellen DeGeneres, Neil Patrick Harris, Ricky Martin, Cyndi Lauper, Adam Levine and Dustin Lance Black among those to publicly thank US president

Shortly after Barack Obama made history on Wednesday (9 May) by becoming the first US president to publicly support gay marriage, Ellen DeGeneres got on Twitter to express her gratitude.

'Thank you President @BarackObama for your beautiful and brave words,' she tweeted. 'I’m overwhelmed.'

DeGeneres, who is married to actress Portia de Rossi, was among the famous people in the entertainment industry who were quick with praise.

May 10, 2012
Thousands sign gay marriage 'thank you' card to Obama

A card signed by up to 100,000 people will be delivered to US President Barack Obama thanking him for public support of gay marriage

Gay rights campaigners hope to collect 100,000 signatures for a card thanking US President Barack Obama for supporting gay marriage.

More than 50,000 people from around the world have already signed the card, which LGBT rights group AllOut.org will deliver to the White House in Washington DC tomorrow (11 May).

May 9, 2012
President Barack Obama makes history, comes out in favor of gay marriage

Becomes first sitting US president to support marriage equality

President Barack Obama made history Wednesday (9 May) by becoming the first sitting US President to support same-sex marriage.

'I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly,' Obama said in an interview with ABC News. '... It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples be able to get married.'

April 9, 2012
The White House launches LGBT video contest

Champions of Change challenge to spotlight people who have made positive impact

The White House on Monday (9 April) announced a new video contest aimed to shine a spotlight on ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things to improve the lives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

The LGBT Pride Month Champions of Change Video Challenge seeks the stories of parents and students, neighborhood and business leaders, artists and advocates who are engaged in the fight for equality.

March 24, 2012
Parker would be 'shocked' if Obama supported marriage rights in 2012

Mayor Annise Parker doubts President Barack Obama will change on marriage in 2012

Annise Parker, mayor of the fourth largest city in the United States, doubts President Barack Obama will change his views on gay marriage during this election season.

Parker took questions at last night's (23 March) 3rd Annual Haas Convening of LGBT journalists, editors, and bloggers. In 2009 Parker became the first out LGBT politician elected to lead a major American city.

March 16, 2012
Obama against North Carolina anti-gay marriage ballot measure

US President's re-election campaign labels Amendment One 'discriminatory'

US President Barack Obama has famously said he is still 'evolving' on the issue of gay marriage but that has not stopped him from coming out against Amendment One, a ballot initiative that seeks add a ban same-sex marriages and civil unions to the North Carolina constitution.

Obama's North Carolina campaign spokesman Cameron French said in a statement that the president is against the measure which goes before voters on May 8.

February 10, 2012
President Obama raises $1.4 million at gay fundraiser

Says adminstration's LGBT accomplishments are 'rooted in concept of fairness'

President Barack Obama, who is still officially 'evolving' on the issue of gay marriage, managed to raise $1.4 million for his reelection effort at dinner Thursday (9 February) for high-paying LGBT donors.

February 5, 2012
Will Obama ban LGBT discrimination among federal contractors?

Memo spells out how executive order can stop discrimination among federal contractors

Although President Barack Obama has an impressive record on LGBT rights, he does not grandstand the topic. Others in his administration make speeches on gay rights --- specially Secretary of State Hillary Clinton --- and he still is committed to civil unions (although he maintains his position on same sex marriage is 'evolving').