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High hopes for State of the Union speech

Activists want Obama to endorse same-sex marriage

Published

16 years ago

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Support for same-sex marriage tops the list for what LGBT rights supporters want to hear from President Obama next week during his State of the Union address.

The demand from advocates makes for great expectations for the speech, which is set to take place before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

An opponent of same-sex marriage, Obama has suggested his position could “evolve” on the matter and said last month he’s “wrestling” with the idea of marriage rights for gay couples.

Obama hasn’t stated support for same-sex marriage even though several states — including Rhode Island and Maryland — could advance marriage equality legislation this year, while others — including New Hampshire, Indiana and North Carolina — could see restrictions on such rights.

Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, said stating support for same-sex marriage during the State of the Union address would demonstrate Obama’s leadership.

“We would like for him to publicly state his support for marriage equality,” Carey said. “We have wanted him to lead on this issue. He has talked about … experiencing some evolution, and we’d like to say, ‘Evolve now!'”

Carey said she expects that Obama will discuss the economic hardships facing the country, which she said would present an opportunity for the president to acknowledge that a lack of marriage rights exacerbates these problems for same-sex couples.

“One of these stresses for same-sex couples on their families is because we can’t get married in so many places and because of DOMA, there are so many ways that we do not have protections for our families that are only adding stress in this economic climate,” she said.

Richard Socarides, president of the media watchdog group Equality Matters, also said Obama should talk about his “journey of evolution” and come out in support of marriage rights for same-sex couples.

“I think that it’s important for him to get to the other side of the journey as quickly as possible because he is the leader of our country and he needs to be leading us and the nation in a direction of acceptance of full equality for LGBT people,” Socarides said.

Still, Socarides said he thinks Obama will focus on the economy as well as the political tone in Washington and expressed skepticism that Obama would broach the topic of same-sex marriage during his speech.

“I think it would be a perfect opportunity for him to announce that his evolution is complete,” Socarides said. “But just because I think it’s a good idea doesn’t mean I think we’ll see it. I think he’s not there yet.”

Whether the president will even address LGBT issues during his speech remains in question. Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, said as of Blade deadline he had no updates on what would be included in the State of the Union address.

During a news conference Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he didn’t know whether the president would address marriage or repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act during his speech.

Mentioning LGBT issues such as same-sex marriage during the State of the Union could be a catalyst for progress in the coming year.

Last year, President Obama’s mention of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was seen as the starting point for the path that led to the passage of legislation allowing for repeal of the law.

“This year, I will 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,” Obama said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Socarides said the State of the Union address presents “the perfect place” for Obama to set up the path for advancement on LGBT issues like marriage rights for same-sex couples.

“When, as president, one mentions something in the State of the Union, you are conveying to the public at large that this is something that is crucially important to you,” Socarides said. “So, I think that highlighting the issue of marriage equality in the State of the Union speech would be very significant.”

In addition to support for same-sex marriage, LGBT rights supporters said they would like to hear about a trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the address.

Autumn Sandeen, a San Diego-based transgender activist, said Obama needs to address employment discrimination experienced by transgender people as well as gays on the national level.

“Honestly, I would also just like to hear him say the word ‘transgender’ on the floor of the House,” she said. “That would be awfully nice.”

With Republicans in control of the U.S. House, Sandeen said she doesn’t think ENDA would pass Congress for at least the next two years and wants to hear from Obama on what he would do to address employment discrimination for the duration of that time.

Carey said renewing support for ENDA would be another way for Obama to recognize that economic hardships in the country are also affecting LGBT people.

“There are so many LGBT people in this country whose jobs are not protected from basic bias and discrimination,” Carey said. “We would like to see him call for those employment protections for LGBT people.”

Other issues that Carey identified as important for Obama to address include school bullying and passing immigration reform and ensuring that Social Security benefits aren’t cut.

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National

Lou Chibbaro Jr. documentary wins award from NLGJA

‘Lou’s Legacy’ produced by D.C.’s Mattachine Society

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17 hours ago

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September 2, 2026

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“Lou’s Legacy: a Reporter’s Life at the Washington Blade,” a documentary produced by The Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., will receive an Excellence in Journalism Award from NLGJA, the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. 

The film premiered on WETA PBS in D.C. and Maryland Public Television (MPT) in June of 2025. The documentary’s Emmy-nominated director and producer Patrick Sammon will accept the award for Excellence in Local Television on Sept. 11 at NLGJA’s National Convention in San Francisco. 

“Lou’s Legacy” was produced in association with the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., a non-profit LGBTQ history society dedicated to conducting original archival research. Aside from Sammon, the NLGJA is recognizing other members of the film’s production team including Producer Julianne Donofrio, Editor Amir Jaffer, Executive Producer Charles Francis, and Executive Producer Pate Felts.  

“Lou’s Legacy” tells the story of two D.C. icons — legendary Washington Blade reporter Lou Chibbaro Jr. and beloved drag performer Donnell Robinson, known to generations of Washington audiences as “Ella Fitzgerald.” Through Lou’s nearly five-decade career at the Blade and Ella’s return to the stage after a three-year hiatus following COVID, the 29-minute documentary explores the history of Washington’s LGBTQ community and today’s rising backlash against LGBTQ rights, including laws targeting drag performers. 

“All students of journalism can learn a lot from the story of Lou Chibbaro, Jr. Lou has chronicled nearly five decades of LGBTQ+ life and the community’s struggle for equality in Washington, D.C. Lou’s work and the role of the queer press has been essential in covering stories the mainstream media would often ignore or erase,” said Ryan Levi, president of the D.C. chapter of the NLGJA.  

“We are thrilled to receive this award from the NLGJA,” said the film’s director Patrick Sammon. “Lou Chibbaro’s nearly five decade career at the Washington Blade demonstrates the essential role LGBTQ journalism plays in telling our community’s stories and documenting its history. This recognition from journalists who follow in Lou’s footsteps is particularly meaningful to me and the rest of our production team.”

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Arizona

Shooting outside gay bar in Ariz. leaves three dead

Tucson police investigating double murder-suicide as a hate crime

Published

2 days ago

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September 1, 2026

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The shooting happened outside Venture-N bar in Tucson, Ariz. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Three people were fatally shot outside a gay bar in Tucson, Ariz., early Monday morning, about a mile from the city’s nightlife district.

Police have said the shooting, which took place in the parking lot of Venture-N bar at 1239 N. 6th Ave., was likely a hate crime and a double murder-suicide following a verbal altercation.

The suspect, Ousman Ceesay, allegedly shot Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara while they were outside the club around 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Reports show Capara and Siqueiros were pronounced dead at the scene. Ceesay died after being taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds.

Police have also said that Ceesay was carrying a list of LGBTQ businesses at the time of the shooting.

Arizona Public Media has said police are investigating the case as a hate crime because the suspect was carrying a note containing the names of multiple LGBTQ-associated businesses.

“I am deeply saddened that another senseless loss of life has happened in our community,” Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto said in a statement. “Bias-based crimes are especially heinous and have no place in our community.”

According to Prieto, there is no imminent threat to the community, and the Tucson Police Department is working to provide extra protection to various LGBTQ businesses across town.

Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, who represents the area, issued a statement condemning the act of violence, which appears to have been at least in part motivated by homophobia.

“I am disgusted and deeply saddened to learn of a targeted act of hate and the cold-blooded murder of two members of our LGBTQIA+ community, Vincent Siqueiros and Cameron Capara, at the Venture-N bar in Tucson last night. This horrific attack is a painful reminder that even in welcoming communities like Tucson, hate and violence against the LGBTQIA+ community still exist.”

“When that hate is combined with easy access to firearms, the consequences can be deadly. I am sick and tired of Congress refusing to lift a finger to protect our communities while, every day, dozens of people are shot and killed across the country. It does not have to be this way. The House of Representatives is returning to session this week, and our first action should be passing common-sense gun safety reforms that we know can save lives.”

Other federal lawmakers also condemned the shooting.

The Congressional Equality Caucus, which is made up of federal legislators advancing LGBTQ interests, issued a statement after news broke.

“Our hearts are with the friends and loved ones of the victims of this devastating attack outside a Tucson gay bar and with the Tucson LGBTQI+ community,” it said on X. “No one should fear violence because of who they are — and we’re going to continue fighting to build a world where no one does.”

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ organization in the country, released a statement following the shooting.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara and our hearts are with their families, loved ones, and the entire Tucson LGBTQ+ community. Once again, we are reminded that gun violence robs people of their lives, destroys families, and devastates communities.”

A candlelight vigil honoring the victims is planned for Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Catalina Park in North Tucson.

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Congress

HRC president campaigns for Chris Pappas in NH

Gay congressman running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Published

2 days ago

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August 31, 2026

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Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson, left, campaigns with U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in Manchester, N.H., on Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign)

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson on Sunday campaigned for U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in New Hampshire.

Robinson traveled to Manchester, the state’s largest city, nine days before the Sept. 8 primary that will determine who will vie for retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)’s seat.

Former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, who represented New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate from 2003-2009, will face off against former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate from 2010-2013, in the Republican primary.

Karishma Manzur is among the Democrats challenging Pappas.

A poll the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released on Aug. 26 shows Sununu is ahead of Brown. The same survey shows Pappas ahead of Manzur and his other Democratic challengers.

The UNH Survey Center poll shows Sununu ahead of Pappas by a 45-43 percent margin if they were to face off in the general election. The margin of error is +/-2.1 percent.

Pappas would become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate if he were to win in November.

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