Championing LGBTQ rights was a historic achievement from "summary" of A Promised Land by Barack Obama
In the end, though, we'd found a way to speak to the better angels of our nature and rally a majority of Americans to our cause. Championing LGBTQ rights was among the most satisfying of all our achievements. It was historic not just because it represented a victory for a marginalized community, or because it signaled a larger shift in attitudes about who we are as a people, but because it was a testament to the power of empathy - of those of us who'd long been denied our rights recognizing that change is possible and striving to make it so.
From the start, I'd made it clear that I saw the struggle for LGBTQ rights as part of a broader movement for civil rights in America. That meant not just passing laws or winning court cases, but changing hearts and minds. And so, one of the first things we did was to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which had forced gay and lesbian service members to hide who they were or risk being kicked out. That was a signal that we intended to be true to our values and would not tolerate discrimination against anyone, regardless of who they loved. It was a powerful moment, and it set the stage for what was to come.
But it was the fight for marriage equality that really tested our resolve. For many Americans, the idea of same-sex couples being allowed to marry was a bridge too far. They saw it as a threat to the institution of marriage, an affront to their religious beliefs, or simply a step too far from the traditions they'd grown up with. And so, the battle was fierce, with opponents pulling out all the stops to try and block our progress. But we held firm, knowing that the arc of history bends toward justice, and that love will always conquer hate.
And so, when the Supreme Court finally ruled in our favor, making marriage equality the law of the land, it was a moment of pure joy. It was a recognition that, as a nation, we had come a long way from the days when being gay meant living in fear and shame. It was a validation of the idea that all of us are created equal, and that we all deserve the same rights and protections under the law. And it was a reminder that, no matter how difficult the struggle, progress is always possible if we have the courage to fight for what is right.
