Statement from Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, on the President's State of the Union Address to Congress

President Obama Reaffirms Commitment to Ending Military's Anti-Gay Policy

“An Important Show of Support for Gay and Lesbian Americans, But Short of Addressing the Government's Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couples"

For Immediate Release:
January 27, 2010, New York, NY

New York, January 27, 2010 - Statement by Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry following President Obama's State of the Union address to Congress:

"President Obama’s pledge to end discrimination against gay people serving in the military, repeated in tonight’s State of the Union, is an important show of support for gay and lesbian Americans as well as a boost to our national security. Unfortunately, the President failed to address the government's discrimination against same-sex couples in his speech. The President spoke about the concerns of Americans across the country, from unemployment to access to good schools and adequate healthcare. Millions of gay and lesbian Americans share these same concerns and struggles, but also bear the extra burden of exclusion from marriage and the denial of legal protection in the workplace and at home. Particularly in a time of immense economic challenges, government should not put obstacles in the path of any committed couple seeking to take care of their loved ones. Freedom to Marry calls on the President to keep his promises and ensure the stability and security of all American families by working with Congress to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which would end the government's policy of singling out married same-sex couples for discriminatory treatment under federal law. We also urge the President to keep his repeated promises to work with Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity."