Obama Keynote Speaker at 13th Annual HRC Dinner

(Oct. 5) President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign’s 13th Annual National Dinner on Saturday, October 10th, in Washington D.C. as queer activist from across the country descend on the nation’s capital for the National Equality March.

“We are honored to share this night with President Obama, who has called upon our nation to embrace LGBT people as brothers and sisters,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign.

Obama’s appearance at the dinner of the nation’s largest organization advocating queer rights comes as the House and Senate consider bills ensuring queer rights.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), legislation meant to extend federal protection to queer persons at work, is working its way through the House subcommittees and may be introduced for a floor vote before the end of the year.

Also, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a personal request to Obama asking for “leadership” in the repeal of the ban on homosexuals to serve openly in the military, colloquially referred to as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).

Last week, an essay in the October issue of Joint Force Quarterly, a scholarly journal published for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, argued that DADT, be lifted and called for actions to be taken and policy be made to integrate homosexuals in the military.

Some advocates are critical of Obama’s progress on his promise to advocate for queer rights.

“Eleven months after his [Obama] election, he has failed to deliver on any of his commitments to gay Americans, but even worse has been his refusal to engage around these issues. What he needs to do now is engage and deliver. Spend some of his political capital on ending the gay military ban, a hugely symbolic issue. And with no intellectually sound arguments left against it, come out squarely for gay marriage equality," said Richard Socarides, former aide to Bill Clinton.

Also, Judy and Dennis Shepard, parents of the late Matthew Shepard, will be the first-ever recipients of the Edward M. Kennedy National Leadership Award.

The award is named in honor of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a family friend and mentor to Obama.

“It is fitting that he will speak to our community on the night that we pay tribute to his friend and mentor Senator Edward Kennedy, who knew that as president, Barack Obama would take on the unfinished business of this nation – equal rights for the LGBT community, and for every person who believes in liberty and justice for all.”

The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Other planned special guests include musician Lady Gaga; the cast of "Glee," a new comedy on the Fox network; and Gavin Creel, a two-time Tony-nominated Broadway actor currently starring in "Hair."