Diversity and inclusion, especially for LGBT people, got top billing during this week’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Hillary Clinton’s LGBT record — and Donald Trump’s anti-LGBT stances — have been a frequent topic of on-stage conversation at Wells Fargo Center, where the DNC concludes with Clinton’s acceptance speech Thursday night.
Wednesday featured a parade of political heavyweights, including President Obama, Vice President Biden and VP nominee Tim Kaine.
Introduction videos before both Biden’s and Obama’s entrances included video footage of their reactions to last year’s Supreme Court decision on marriage equality, bringing deafening cheers from the crowd. Kaine also included a nod to the LGBT community when talking about opportunity for all Americans, free from discrimination based on “who you love.”
Both Obama and Biden started their speeches praising their wives; the vice president laughing that he and Obama “married up,” and the president joking that Michelle “somehow hasn’t aged a day. The same can’t be said for me; my girls remind me all the time.”
Obama went on to review policy victories during his administration, including the Affordable Care Act and marriage equality, cautioning there is still “work to be done.”
The president referenced ongoing racial tensions, poverty and violence, including the LGBT mass shooting in Orlando. Earlier in the night, Christine Leinonen, the mother of an Orlando victim, was one of a series of speakers urging gun control, including gay filmmaker from Philadelphia Lee Daniels.
Obama decried Donald Trump’s discriminatory positions and lack of experience, instead saying, “There has never been a man or woman, not me, not Bill, nobody more qualified than Hillary” to be president, which drew a standing ovation from Clinton’s husband.
The president went on to urge unity, saying he’s seen success when Americans of all stripes, including those who are “gay or straight,” work together. After his speech, Clinton joined the president on stage for a brief moment, igniting the crowd.
On Tuesday, five states referenced LGBT milestones in the roll-call vote that officially nominated Clinton as the first female to run for president for a major party.
“This is the first time the DNC has been that inclusive and not hidden us in a pocket,” said Jude-Laure Denis, an LGBT delegate from Lehigh Valley. “In that way, I feel encouraged by the progressive direction of the party.”
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the first openly gay senator, read the tally of Wisconsin’s votes. She is set to speak Thursday.
North Carolina’s speakers said the state’s Democrats were committed to efforts to repeal HB2, the state law that was rammed through the legislature in March to prohibit nondiscrimination laws that protect LGBT people.
New York touted its progressive values that passed marriage equality early in the movement. Massachusetts cheered while announcing it was the first state to make marriage equality legal in 2004.
Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed marriage equality, read the votes from his home state.
“This Ohio boy helped love win last summer,” he said. “Know this: Love trumps hate.”
Later that night, former President Bill Clinton took the stage and, toward the end of his 40-minute speech, highlighted his wife Hillary’s famous quote, “Women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights.”
“She makes the same declaration on behalf of the LGBT community,” Clinton said.
A series of LGBT speakers kicked off the convention Monday, including state lawmakers like Pat Spearman of Nevada and Tina Kotek of Oregon; labor leaders like Service Employees International United president Mary Kay Henry; and celebrities such as Jason Collins, the NBA’s first out player.
Collins described how he came out to the Clintons, whom he said he has known for 20 years, before coming out publicly.
“I knew [the Clinton family] would accept me for who I was and pave the path for others to do the same,” Collins said, going on to note Clinton’s LGBT work as Secretary of State and support for legislation like the Equality Act.
“She knew my sexual orientation makes no difference in my ability to play basketball, just as someone’s gender makes no difference in one’s ability to lead our nation.
“The choice for continued progress is clear,” Collins concluded, urging support for Clinton.
A video interlude also carried testimonials about Clinton’s LGBT record.
A number of allies also referenced LGBT inclusion, and the Republican Party’s refusal of LGBT equality.
“People should be able to love who they love and marry who they want to marry in the United States of America,” said Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez.
“When Democrats say ‘We the people,’ we mean all the people … regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” convention CEO Leah Daughtry said to cheers. “No matter what you believe or who you love, we’re always stronger together.”