jerrySeveral weeks ago Barry Grider preached an excellent lesson on marriage, at the MSOP lectureship, showing that Marriage was only between a man and a woman.  I asked him for permission to send his lesson to President Obama, and he authorized me to do so.  So I sent it to him, and what follows is a response that he sent me:

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The White House, Washington

Thank you for writing.  We must stand united to protect liberty and justice for all our citizens, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans.

Since I took office, my Administration has worked to broaden opportunity, advance equality, and level the playing field for LGBT people and communities.  We have fought to secure justice for all under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and we have taken action to end housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  We expanded hospital visitation rights for LGBT patients and their loved ones, and under the Affordable Care Act, we ensured that insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to someone just because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.  Because we understand that LGBT rights are human rights, we continue to engage with the international community in promoting and protecting the rights of LGBT persons around the world.  Because we repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans can serve their country openly, honestly, and without fear of losing their jobs because of whom they love.  And because we must treat others the way we want to be treated, I personally believe in marriage equality for same-sex couples.

More remains to be done to ensure every single American is treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.  Moving forward, my Administration will continue its work to advance the rights of LGBT Americans.  Following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), we will ensure the ruling—including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations—is implemented swiftly and smoothly.  I have also urged Congress to pass the bipartisan Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  Adoption rights must be secured for LGBT families, and we need to ensure our children are free to learn in supportive environments in school.  For information about my commitment to preventing bullying and harassment, along with resources for those facing bullying, please visit http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/ItGetsBetter and http://www.StopBullying.gov.

Thank you, again, for writing.  To learn more about my Administration’s efforts in pursuit of a Nation where all are equal, and all have the full and unfettered opportunity to pursue happiness and live openly and freely, please visit http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/LGBT.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

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