President to keynote HRC dinner

President Obama has agreed to deliver the keynote address to this year’s annual Human Rights Campaign dinner October 1 in Washington, D.C.

This is not the first time President Obama has addressed the black tie gathering, a fundraising and political event for the national LGBT political group. He spoke at the dinner in October 2009, just prior to a national March on Washington by LGBT supporters.

“We are honored to share this night with President Obama who has a tremendous record of accomplishment for LGBT people,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “On the heels of the end to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ we look forward to celebrating our victories and redoubling our efforts for the fights that remain ahead.”

At his appearance before HRC in 2009, President Obama promised he would end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the federal law that has prohibited openly gay people from serving in the military since 1993. On September 20, that promise became reality, with enactment of a repeal bill President Obama helped push through Congress.

HRC said in a press release it expects about 3,000 people to attend its dinner, which is already sold out.

 

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