Attorney General Eric Holder on
Thursday addressed a gathering of LGBT lawyers, telling them that gay
rights are a top priority for President Barack Obama and his
administration.
“Thanks to the work of tireless
advocates, activists, and attorneys in – and far beyond – this
room, our nation has made great strides on the road to LGBT equality
and the unfinished struggle to secure and protect the civil rights of
all Americans. For President Obama, for me, and for our colleagues
at every level of the Obama administration, this work has long been a
top priority – and I'm pleased to note that it has resulted in
meaningful, measurable and enduring change,” Holder told attendees
of the 2012 Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair taking place in
Washington DC.
Holder described the gay rights
successes of the Obama administration, including the repeal of “Don't
Ask, Don't Tell” and his agency's decision to no longer defend the
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court.
“Beyond these efforts, the Justice
Department continues to support – and to fight for – legislative
and policy reforms like an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination
Act, which would extend protections to LGBT individuals in all
workplaces, and an updated Violence Against Women Act that would
ensure that the law’s non-discrimination provisions cover sexual
orientation and gender identity. Even in the face of extraordinary
budget challenges, we remain determined to use every available
resource to build the necessary institutional and legal frameworks to
end harassment, violence, and discrimination – and to provide the
safeguards that, for LGBT Americans, my fellow citizens, are long
overdue.”
“No one understands the importance of
creating such an environment – or has advocated more passionately
on behalf of the LGBT community – than President Obama. Thanks to
his leadership, this administration has made historic strides in
adopting inclusive policies and sending a clear message that the
federal government is 'open for everyone,' and that it is an employer
that accepts and respects every potential employee.”