Barack Obama just finished his 2013 State of the Union Address and while he hit on many topics, he did not specifically address same sex marriage or the passage of ENDA - the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. That said, he did make three specific references to the need for full equality for women and LGBT Americans - rights opposed by the GOP and the Christofascist element. He also challenged Congress to vote on much needed legislation. The New Civil Rights Movement has the full text of Obama's speech here. These are the most significant portions of the speech on gay and women's equality:
It is our unfinished task to restore the basic bargain that built this country – the idea that if you work hard and meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who you love.
We know our economy is stronger when our wives, mothers, and daughters can live their lives free from discrimination in the workplace, and free from the fear of domestic violence. Today, the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Act that Joe Biden originally wrote almost 20 years ago. I urge the House to do the same. And I ask this Congress to declare that women should earn a living equal to their efforts, and finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this year.
As long as I’m Commander-in-Chief, we will do whatever we must to protect those who serve their country abroad, and we will maintain the best military in the world. We will invest in new capabilities, even as we reduce waste and wartime spending. We will ensure equal treatment for all service members, and equal benefits for their families – gay and straight. We will draw upon the courage and skills of our sisters and daughters, because women have proven under fire that they are ready for combat.
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