Lambda Legal Sees Hope and Challenge in Second Term

We congratulate President Obama, and the country, on the President’s inauguration and the start of his second term. 

For those of us who have been working many years for justice for LGBT people and people living with HIV across the country, there is more hope as well as more determination in the air today.

Voters re-elected a president who embraced marriage for same-sex couples, led the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" and is standing with us to defeat the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.

It is an inspiring moment in history for all of us to witness the swearing in of an African-American president on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a reminder that change is possible, but comes only from courage, leadership and tenacious struggle. 

Inspiration must turn to action, and action to results. We look forward to working with President Obama early in this term to enact the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, as well for elimination of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and enactment of federal protections for LGBT students.

We have a lot of work to do, and much to celebrate as we look forward to many more victories in 2013 for LGBT people and people living with HIV.