CNN anchor Don Lemon was on the ground
Monday to get reactions to President Barack Obama's mention of gay
rights in his inauguration speech.
Obama included Stonewall, the Greenwich
Village bar where gay men and drag queens confronted police,
triggering the modern gay rights movement, alongside Seneca Falls and
Selma, marking the first time a president has addressed gay rights in
an inauguration speech.
(Related: Obama
calls gay marriage part of America's journey in inauguration speech.)
“There are gay people out on the mall
who were very proud,” Lemon told viewers from the National Mall.
“Some people were surprised in a good way that the president
mentioned gay rights in his speech.”
“I thought it was good that it was
inclusive like that,” Reggie said. “It's a little bit
surprising, but given his history, the Obama administration's history
with the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and also his evolution of
gay marriage, it's really not surprising.”
Greg added: “I was surprised that he
mentioned Stonewall because it's not something that you're used to
hearing when they discuss about civil rights, especially from a
president, so that really struck me when he said that.”
“It makes me feel good to be an
American right now and think that things are going to be better in
the future,” he added.
(Related: Rev.
Luis Leon closes inauguration with gay-inclusive prayer.)