The Civil Rights Agenda, an Illinois LGBT-rights group, criticized President Obama’s State of the Union speech that he delivered Feb. 12. The organization said he did not mention enough policy issues that are important to the LGBT demographic.
In a statement, Executive Director Anthony Martinez said, “The President has continually been an advocate for LGBT Americans, as exemplified in his inaugural address this year. Although that is the case, he must use some of his political capital to advance issues such as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act [ENDA] and comprehensive immigration reform that includes same-gender couples.”
Martinez added that, although Obama mentioned equal benefits for gay and lesbian service members and their families, “there are many more issues facing LGBT Americans and we must continue working to pass ENDA, advancing comprehensive immigration reform that includes same-gender couples, and striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).