Obama's Call for Inclusion

Throughout this election season, most presidential candidates have rarely elected to talk specifically about LGBT people during their stump speeches and media appearances. Yet, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has briefly mentioned gay people during several of his public appearances--most recently during yesterday's televised speech following his wins in the Wisconsin and Hawaii primaries.

While discussing his vision of a political culture that doesn't thrive on division and prejudice, Obama said, "I know how easy it is for politicians to turn us on each other, to use immigrants or gay people or folks who aren’t like us as scapegoats for what they do." 

While Obama has yet to speak substantively about his proposed policies regarding LGBT Americans, it's significant that a leading contender for the Democratic nomination has begun a conversation about the inclusion of gay people. Obama's inclusive speeches reflect the historic visibility of the LGBT community in this election--most notably illustrated by the decision of all Democratic candidates to discuss LGBT issues during August 2007's historic Human Rights Campaign/Logo Presidential Forum.

As election coverage continues, GLAAD will be encouraging the media to watch for more instances of leading political candidates choosing to highlight the lives of LGBT Americans when they address the public.

Cindi Creager is the Director of National News