President Obama’s inaugural event Monday was historical on several counts: Mr. Obama, of course, is the first black man to take the oath of executive office for two times. Mr. Obama’s poet, Richard Blanco, was the first Hispanic to recite the inaugural poem. And Mr. Obama is the first U.S. president to use the word “gay” — twice — in his inaugural address in reference to sexuality.
That’s according to Politico, which conducted some quick research after Mr. Obama’s remarks. CBSMiami also reported Mr. Blanco is the first openly gay poet to read during an inauguration.
“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well,” Mr. Obama said in his speech.
Subsequently, Mr. Obama also made reference to the gay rights movement, the Stonewall Riots, a 1969 incident that sparked over police raids on a gay bar in Greenwich Village in New York.
Nine states, as well as the District of Columbia, have passed laws allowing same-sex marriage. Mr. Obama’s inaugural remarks are being hailed by gay rights activists as a clear message of his intent to further the same-sex-marriage issue during his second term.
“What this president is doing is he is setting the bar higher — not for himself, but for all of America,” said Fred Sainz, vice president of communications for the Human Rights Campaign, according to a USA Today report.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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