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President Obama led the fight to protect everyone no matter who they are, where theyre from, what they look like, or whom they love. The Administrations work included pushing through sweeping rights and protections for LGBTQ Americans milestones we mark this Pride month as we learn from LGBTQ leaders organizing in their communities.

In December 2010, President Obama signed the Dont Ask, Dont Tell Repeal Act of 2010 into law, allowing gay men and women to serve openly and with integrity in the U.S. military.

Michael Rudulph and his partner Neil Rafferty talk about their service as gay Marines under the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy.

In February 2011, the Obama Administration announced it would cease legal defense of the Defense of Marriage Acts provision defining marriage as only between a man and woman, leading to the Supreme Courts landmark decisions holding the Act unconstitutional.

Throughout his presidency, President Obama advocated in favor of a Constitutional guarantee of marriage equality for same-sex couplesa position the Supreme Court vindicated in its historic decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015.

Edie Windsor talks to her lawyer Roberta Kaplan about how the 2009 death of Edies long-time partner, Thea Spyer, led to their landmark Supreme Court case which secured marriage equality nationwide.

Theres so much we still have to do to achieve full equality, and we at the Obama Foundation are committed to doing everything we can to empower and support the LGBTQ community. As part of our efforts, recently we talked to LGBTQ leaders in Chicago about how theyre organizing in their communities, and what citizenship means to them.

Lifelong Chicagoan, Mary Morten, shares why shes inspired by young people today and why its important for all of us no matter where we live or what our lives look like to start with our own communities.

Theresa and Mercedes, who have been together for more than twenty years, share why being involved with the LGBTQ community is important to them.

Patrick and Jim have been together for 54 years and organize around LGBTQ issues to fight for equality, justice, and fairness for all people.

More from community organizers in Chicago

We know from our own history that change happens because people push to make it happen. Weve got to do the hard work of educating others, showing empathy to others, changing hearts and minds. And when we do that, then change occurs. It doesnt come always as quickly as we like, but progress comes.

President Obama, June 13, 2013, Reception for LGBTQ Pride Month

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Celebrating Pride Month - Obama Foundation