The final night of the Democratic National Convention again featured many celebrations of LGBT equality, not to mention speeches by openly gay individuals such as Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). President Obama himself reiterated his support for marriage equality, Vice President Joe Biden condemned intolerance, and many other speakers applauded the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and other advancements of LGBT equality. In fact, there was a video dedicated entirely to the LGBT community, complete with photographs of pride parades and same-sex couples. Watch it:
Zach Wahls, rockstar spokesperson for children of same-sex couples everywhere, spoke briefly to the convention, calling out Mitt Romney for implying that some families were more “real” than others:
WAHLS: Governor Romney says he’s against same-sex marriage because every child deserves a mother and a father. I think every child deserves a family as loving and committed as mine. Because the sense of family comes from the commitment we make to each other to work through the hard times so we can enjoy the good ones. It comes from the love that binds us; that’s what makes a family. Mr. Romney, my family is just as real as yours.
Watch it:
President Obama used his nomination acceptance speech to call out conservatives who blame groups like “welfare recipients, or corporations, or unions, or immigrants, or gays” for the country’s problems, instead motivating voters to make the difference they want to see in society, including for LGBT equality:
OBAMA: So you see, the election four years ago wasn’t about me. It was about you. My fellow citizens — you were the change.
You’re the reason there’s a little girl with a heart disorder in Phoenix who’ll get the surgery she needs because an insurance company can’t limit her coverage. You did that.
You’re the reason a young man in Colorado who never thought he’d be able to afford his dream of earning a medical degree is about to get that chance. You made that possible.
You’re the reason a young immigrant who grew up here and went to school here and pledged allegiance to our flag will no longer be deported from the only country she’s ever called home; why selfless soldiers won’t be kicked out of the military because of who they are or who they love; why thousands of families have finally been able to say to the loved ones who served us so bravely: “Welcome home.”
If you turn away now — if you buy into the cynicism that the change we fought for isn’t possible…well, change will not happen. If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void: lobbyists and special interests; the people with the $10 million checks who are trying to buy this election and those who are making it harder for you to vote; Washington politicians who want to decide who you can marry, or control health care choices that women should make for themselves.
Only you can make sure that doesn’t happen. Only you have the power to move us forward.
Watch the President’s full remarks: