Post-election State of the Union
11 Nov 08 12:00 AM CST
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
President-elect Barack Obama November 4, 2008 election night victory speech
On Tuesday, voters across the country sent a clear message that politics of fear is a thing of the past and it has no place in our future. NBJC applauds the historic victory of President-elect Barack Obama and has reached out to him to offer our full support in helping to ensure equality for all Americans.
Moving beyond the elections there is still more work to be done. NBJC will work with the President-elect and the new Congress to:
· Ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care and that we eliminate health disparities;
· Develop and implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS plan;
· Enact pro-equality legislation to address employment discrimination, ensure safe schools for our young people and provide laws enforcement with the tools necessary to prevent bias; and
· Repeal anti-equality legislation Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the military’s Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Through our partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute, we will continue to advocate for qualified African American LGBT individuals to be appointed in all levels of the next administration through the Presidential Appointments Taskforce.
Finally, NBJC believes in fairness for all families. We support full marriage equality. African American gay and lesbian families are the most damaged by anti-gay legislation. NBJC is committed to re-doubling our efforts to ensure that California same sex couples regain their right to marry and that all gay Americans are allowed to enjoy the fundamental right to marry. NBJC prioritizes working with African American civil rights leaders, religious leaders and communities to build support for our equality.
We call on our friends, family and supporters to unite for the cause of equality. We encourage African American same gender loving people to seize the moment, embrace this new day. We ask all of you to join NBJC and organize in your community.
This is our day, this is our time.
