Thousands are expected to take part this morning in a march for gay and lesbian rights, NBC’s Mike Viqueira joins us live from Washington with more.
Mike, good morning.
Good morning, Lester. Last night, the leader of the nation’s largest gay rights organization said they have never had a stronger ally in the White House than President Obama, but others are frustrated and today they plan to march through the streets of Washington, ending up here at the Capitol where they’re going to demand a quicker action from the President.
The president last night, greeted warmly as he spoke of solidarity with a gathering of gay rights advocates.
“I’m here with a simple massage. I’m here with you in that fight.”
And ，repeating his pledge to allow gays to serve openly in the military.
“I will end ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.”
But outside the hall, a different kind of greeting for the president.
“Obama, Obama, let Mama marry Mama.”
Protestors giving voice to growing impatience for Mr. Obama among gay Americans.
What people are feeling now is a sort of loss of faith.
After a long campaign where candidate Obama repeatedly pledged act on issues important to gay men and women.
I think that it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans.
Now, 9 months into his presidency, many are disillusioned.
What happened shortly after the president took office was that gay and lesbian rights just fell off the radar completely.
Activists complain of little to no movement on the issues of biggest concern.
Gay and lesbians are still being kicked out of the military, our validly entered into marriages are still not recognized by the federal government.
And instead of action from Washington, gays are seeing previous gains rolled back at the state level. Proposition 8 bans gay marriage in California.
Vote yes on question 1, to prevent homosexual marriage from being pushed on Maine students.
And a vote in Maine set for next month, threatens to overturn a new state law, allowing same sex marriage, frustration is boiling over.
We’ve been waiting for decades, and we’re not going to wait any longer.
Organizers of today’s march say they want to see political promises fulfilled this year.
We’ve got a Democratic majority in both houses, a president that we helped get elected, and we are tax payers and citizens, and we want the rights that are guaranteed to us.
Lester, when marchers gather here later today, they can look forward to one imminent success, congress is about to pass and send the president a hate crimes bill, would make it a federal crime to assault someone on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Lester.
NBC’s Mike Viqueira reporting for us. Thanks.
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