Obama spreads hope for gay causes

[Shana A]

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Deb Price
Obama spreads hope for gay causes

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090415/OPINION03/904150320/1031

At a recent White House cocktail party, gay leaders Joe Solmonese and Rea Carey sipped drinks in the Blue Room and guessed which way President Barack Obama would enter.

Suddenly, the president walked in -- right behind Carey.

"I said, 'Rea, turn around,' " recalls Solmonese, head of the Human Rights Campaign. "I physically turned her around to see the president."

To their happy astonishment, the president didn't just quickly shake their hands on his way to greet the 30 or so other guests that night.

Instead, he asked when hate crimes legislation will reach his desk so he can sign it. And Obama listened as they stressed the need for a federal ban on job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity -- legislation he supports.