President Barack Obama's comments on
gay rights during a recent appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' daytime
talk show were reportedly not broadcast in Singapore.
During the segment, Obama thanked
DeGeneres for helping change hearts and minds.
“I can't thank you enough for what
you have done for the gay community,” DeGeneres told the president.
“So, thank you.”
“It's one of the things I'm proudest
of,” Obama responded. “Because my whole political career has
been based on the idea that we constantly want to include people and
not exclude them.”
“But … changing hearts and minds, I
don't think anyone has been more influential than you on that.
That's true.”
“You being willing to claim who you
were, then suddenly empowers other people. And then suddenly it's
your brother; it's your uncle; it's you best friend; it's your
co-worker. And then attitudes shift and the laws followed, but it
started with folks like you. I'm so proud of you,” Obama added.
According to Gay
Star News, Channel 5, which is run by the Singapore government,
censored the segment along with Michelle Obama wishing DeGeneres and
wife Portia de Rossi a Happy Valentine's Day.