Obama Hosts His Final White House Pride Reception

“There’s a lot to be proud of today.”

From: NewNowNext

President Obama held his final LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House on Thursday, and in his speech the president remarked on all the advancements that have been made for the LGBT community under his administration.

“There’s a lot to be proud of today,” said Obama in his speech.

“Today we live in an America where ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ don’t exist no more. We now live in America were all of our marriages and our families are recognized as equal under the law.”

 During his speech the president brought up Matthew Shepard when he mentioned the Hate Crimes Prevention Act that he signed in 2009, which added sexual orientation and gender identity to the federal hate crimes law. Obama also listed the repeal of the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and Edie Windsor’s challenge of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Obama also reflected on the decision to light up the White House in rainbow colors on June 26, 2015 in honor of the Supreme Court’s ruling to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide as “one of the most special moments of” his presidency.

 “It was a powerful symbol here at home where more Americans felt more accepted and whole and our country recognized the love that they felt,” said Obama. “It was a beacon for people around the world who are still fighting for those rights.”

“Some folks never imagined we’d come this far, maybe even some in this room. Change can be slow.”

Ahead of the reception on Thursday the White House released a fact sheet listing all of Obama’s accomplishments for LGBT people during his presidency, but the president remarked “we have more miles in the journey.”

We have to work to make sure that every single child, no matter who they are or where they come from or what they look like, how they live feels welcomed and valued and love,” remarked the president.

Watch his inspiring speech below: