America, from the day Christopher Columbus “discovered” it, has been built on prejudice. Starting from the treatment of Native Americans, discrimination in America has been problematic. However, the preconception of minority groups in our country has been more obvious than ever. From the days of slavery, to the days of segregation, to the ever-present issue of gay marriage, discrimination is still very much the backbone of America. For decades, the LGBTQ community fought to be seen as fellow humans amongst the government and their fellow citizens. For many years’ progress seemed impossible in the LGBTQ community. However, when Barack Obama was elected president the LGBTQ community gained hope. Over the course of his presidency, Obama could accomplish what many believed to be impossible. Over the course of eight years the president could put the “Matthew Shepard and James Bryd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act” into law, could “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, create a health care plan that benefits the LGBTQ community, sign an order to protect LGBTQ workers, and fought to protect LGBTQ youth. Lastly, gay marriage was legalized under Barack Obama. With accomplishments like these Obama helped progress society and the LGBT community.

Towards the beginning of Barack Obama’s Presidency, the progress began very slowly. Even though he called himself a “fierce advocate” of LGBTQ rights his first year in office moved slowly when it came to LGBTQ rights. Many activist saw him as too cautious and were very frustrated. Many were concerned that he wasn’t doing enough for the LGBTQ community and was being too cautious of the republican party’s viewpoints. However, Obama soon proved the critics wrong. Obama soon became the fierce defender he promised he was. As well as being the He began the fight for progress in the LGBT community by first signing the Matthew Shepard and James Jr. 

One of Obama’s main focuses was to help the LGBT community was signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act. This was the very first act Obama put into place to help the LGBT community’s progress. The “Matthew Shepard and James Bryd Hate Crimes Prevention Act” was created to include LGBTQ members in the hate crimes act. Human Right’s campaign shares with their readers how up until 2009, LGBTQ members were not included in hate crimes. This was a prevalent issue at the time because the federal government has no authority to assure that the criminals are brought to justice. The act was named after a young gay man who was abused for his sexual orientation and his investigation didn’t receive the proper assistance from the federal government. At this time, the government did not cover LGBTQ hate crimes. Hate crimes are normally used to send a message towards a group of people. For example, after the attacks on September, 11, 2011 many Muslims were attacked. Due to this, hate crimes are normally more severe. (Human Rights Campaign.) They often involve torture and being held captive. Many LGBTQ hate crimes went, and still do, go unreported and the ones that were reported, justice was not always served. The nation’s biggest online civil and human rights coalition, also known as civilrights.org, gives us an example of these unfair cases. In Greenville, South Carolina, 2017, a gay man named Sean Kennedy was the victim of a hate crime. Kennedy was murdered outside of a bar. While the assailant was beating him up, they were also making negative comments about Sean Kennedy’s sexuality. Soon Sean Kennedy’s head hit the pavement. The assailant was charged with murder but later his charge was reduced to unintentional manslaughter. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but ended up only having to serve three. Cases like this were very common and justice was not always served. (Civil Rights)

The human rights campaign also tells us that studies showed that during George W Bush’s presidency the majority of American citizens agreed with inclusion of LGBTQ members in the hate crimes act. In 2007 a survey displayed that sixty eight percent of Americans favored including LGBTQ in the hate crime act. (Human Rights Campaign) Even the majority of conservatives and Christian groups agreed on the law. The passing of this law is extremely historic to the LGBTQ community because the federal government has never protected their community. For years, they were the source of discrimination. From the enactment of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” to the passing of “The Defense of Marriage Act.” Before Obama, the government was never in favor of LGBTQ members. (Human Right’s Campaign)

However, in 2010 Obama repealed “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”  The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy was originally put in place in 1993, and was meant to keep gay and lesbians sexuality a secret. Repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was one of Obama’s very first actions towards progress in his presidency. In the beginning of Obama’s presidency, he called himself a “fierce defender” and was clearly sticking by his new title. (LGBTQ Nation) Obama was a big part of LGBTQ members not having to hide their sexuality or feel ashamed of who they are. In his speech Obama states, how it is unreasonable to ask someone to hide who they are if they are willing to fight for this country. He reminds the American people that “We are not a country that says ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ . We are a nation that says, “Out of many, we are one.’” The passing of this law has impacted the LGBTQ community more than many conservatives have realized. Stephen Peters is a writer for the Human Rights campaign and tells us in his article how the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell personally affected him.  In “Five years Later: The End of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is Historic Progress we must keep to fight” Peters tells us how many conservatives don’t realize how “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” had such a negative impact on everyday life for the LGBT community. Peters talks from personal experience and shares how he was forced to leave the marine corps because of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.  People failed to realize how many consequences the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” law has caused for the LGBTQ community. Many military members had fears of walking around seen with their spouse. Military spouses had to pretend like their family members didn’t exist, and military kids fear talking about their parents because they didn’t want them to lose their job. (Human Rights Campaign) Over the course of 18 years the pentagon dismissed 14,346 qualified service members and that doesn’t include the 4,000 men and woman that refused to re-enlist due to this law. With this law being revoked many people can serve and benefit from being in the military.  Peter discusses how he witnesses firsthand the progress America has made since the repeal and how all the progress can come crashing down due to the Trump and Pence administration. He later thanks Barack Obama for the legacy he has started and he hopes Trump doesn’t end. 

As well as protecting their rights Obama also fought to protect their health. In 2010 Obama launched the very first National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Which was updated to be carried out through 2020. The strategy was originally created to change the way American people talk about HIVS. As well as prioritizing the prevention and care of HIV’s. The strategy had four set goals including, reducing HIV infections, increasing care, reducing HIV related disparities and achieving a more coordinated National response. (Obama White house) The strategy also recognized that HIVS does not impact all people equally. HIV’s is far more prominent in the LGBTQ community, mainly gay, bisexual, and transgender men. The affordable care act, also known as Obama Care, has increased the amount of coverage amongst people living with and at risk for HIV. The affordable care act also increased the amount of HIV diagnostic test. As well as offering HIV screening without cost sharing. The National Institute of Health show that recent evidence proves that early treatment is improving health outcomes. Detecting HIV early helps infections from aids and aids- related cancers.  (Obama White house) This program is also the largest Federal program dedicated to people living with HIV.

Preston Mitchum, a writer for thinkprogress.org, discusses how discrimination in the workplace towards the LGBT community has always been a serious issue many failed to acknowledge. Ever since 1994 the Employment Non- Discrimination Act has been introduced in every session of congress, except one. For quite some time protection over the LGBTQ community failed to exist. In several cases LGBTQ workers are fired from their jobs due to their sexuality. (Think Progress) Data tells us that transgender Americans have the highest rates of workplace discrimination and this causes transgender men and woman to seek elsewhere for sources of income. Including sex work and drugs.  Before Obama signed this executive order forty seven percent of LGBQ members experienced not being hired, denied promotion, and or being fired due to their sexuality or being transgender. As well as loss of jobs, 90% of LGBTQ members experienced harassment while working.  By signing this bill Obama not only put an end to verbal discrimination in the work place but also the lack of benefits compared to straight and cisgender people. (Think Progress) 

  Kylar Broadus is an open transgender man. He is an attorney and professor at a historically black college. Broadus was also the very first open transgender to speak in congress. He discusses how his boss would have unreasonable demands in the workplace once he began transitioning from female to male. (Think Progress) He shares with his audience how he was working in his workplace for several years before he decided to transition. When he began transitioning his boss refused to use the proper pronouns, use his “male” name, and he was forced to dress like a female. Due to the harassment from his employer Broadus soon suffered from, and still suffers from, PTSD. He mentions how the treatment is dehumanizing and he can’t be a bystander and continue to allow behavior like this. Lastly Broadus states that “Workplace discrimination is a real problem that hurts real people. Congress should take the necessary steps to ensure that LGBT workers have comprehensive protections from discrimination by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. LGBT workers must have a chance to exhibit their qualifications in order to build a successful life for themselves and their families.” The treatment he received in his workplace strongly impacted him and greatly influenced his decision to become an attorney. Not only can so he can help others like him, but to fight to make the LGBTQ community recognized in job discrimination.  (Think Progress)

President Obama often showed his support infighting for the LGBTQ youth. In 2015 the death of a 17-year-old sparked the LGBTQ community. Leelah Alcorn was a transgender female who committed suicide. She left a suicide note on Tumblr and spoke about how her parents were the main influences of her death. When Leelah came out to her parents as transgender, her parents pulled her out of school and took her internet privileges away. As well as leaving her isolated and with no one to talk to her, her parents also forced her to attend conversion therapy. Later, she regained her internet privileges where she posted her suicide note. (New York Times)He openly shared his disgust towards minors undergoing conversion therapy. Cases like this are very common and many LGBTQ children have and suffer from PTSD. Barack Obama was informed of this and spread his love towards the transgender community. Obama called an end to such therapies aimed at repairing gay and transgender youth. He also was leading by example when he introduced the very first “all gender restroom” in the white house. Even though Obama was unable to make this into a law, his constant support of the LGBTQ community has positively affected the way society perceives them. (New York Times)

Over the course of eight years Obama accomplished what many believed were impossible. The LGBTQ community holds him in a very high place. He believed in them when no one else. Simply by showing his support and love for the LGBT community, he was able to have society view them in a new light. By treating LGBTQ members as equal people in society Obama has truly saved lives. People finally have hope that the world is becoming a better place.

Many critics believe that Obama had a slow start when it came to LGBTQ rights, and with good reason. During Obama’s first year in office, he had no progress when it came to LGBTQ. Everyone was waiting for the “Fierce Defender” of LGBTQ rights. Finally, Barack began making some changes including the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Many were still not happy with the pace he was setting. However, no one can deny that after Obama followed in Vice President Biden’s footsteps, and began endorsing gay marriage, Obama did become the “fierce defender” he always claimed he was. During his second term, Obama did exceedingly more things to help the LGBTQ community. The Human rights campaign counted that Obama’s administration mad more than 125 changes to polices to expand LGBTQ rights. Obama also hired over 250 LGBTQ people to openly serve in federal positions. (LGBTQ Nation) He also designated the first national monument that honors the LGBTQ community. The monument is at a hotel, called Stonewall Inn, in New York City. The hotel is the home of a major LGBT uprising in 1969. Also in November of 2016 Obama awarded Ellen with the Presidential Medal Of Freedom. Ellen came out as lesbian in 1997 publically and has been fighting for equal rights for the LGBTQ community ever since.  His actions have truly showed that his character and attitude towards the LGBT community have changed. He has set an example for the American people that you can truly change for the better. Yes, Obama was not a pace setter. He followed in the footsteps of other democrats. However, he showed the American people what true change looks like. As well as changing LGBTQ members lives for the better. Cari Searcy tells lgbtqnation that “Obama revolutionized the way America sees us.” She also says “The policies and protections that our community gained under his administration changed our daily lives and included us in the national conversation. “We have come so far under his leadership, and for that, I will forever be grateful.” 
