By Michael Crawford

In his history speech last night accepting the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama included the following line recognizing the LGBT community as a vital part of the American family.

I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination.

Below is the full speech.

By David Mixner
Cross-posted at www.DavidMixner.com

Last night I wept as I watched the Democratic Party nominate Barack Obama for President of the Alan_convention United States. All those trials and tribulations of the 1960’s in the struggle for freedom seem to have new meaning and new purpose. As Democrats we should be bursting with pride, as Americans we should celebrate our progress and as human beings we should all stand a little taller.

-Senator Clinton certainly wowed the Convention on Tuesday night and proved that she is committed to the Democratic Party and its principles. In a powerfully delivered speech she stuck to her journey while making a powerful case for supporting Barack Obama. Her supporters must be extremely proud and the party is very grateful. I believe her best line of the evening was:

Most of all, I ran to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years. Those are the reasons I ran for president, and those are the reasons I support Barack Obama for president. I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

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Barack Obama officially became the Democratic nominee for President tonight after Hillary Clinton interrupted a roll call vote to lead a motion nominate him by acclamation. Obama has officially become the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party in U.S. history.

By Michael Crawford

Sen. Hillary Clinton delivered a powerful speech and a ringing endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama last night at the Democratic Convention. Her speech will go a long way towards unifying the Democratic Party and focusing our sights on a crucial goal: electing Barack Obama as our next president.

Hillary Rodham Clinton summoned the millions of voters who supported her in the primaries to send Barack Obama to the White House Tuesday night, and drew thunderous applause at the Democratic National Convention when she declared her one-time rival is “my candidate and he must be our president.”

“We don’t have a moment to lose or a vote to spare,” said the former first lady, writing the final chapter in a quest for the White House every bit as pioneering as Obama’s own.

The packed convention floor became a sea of white “Hillary” signs as the New York senator _ Obama’s fiercest rival across 56 primaries and caucuses _ strode to the podium for her prime-time speech. The signs were soon replaced others that read simply, “Unity.”

Here is a short video of reactions by women in Denver to Sen. Clinton’s speech:

Compiled with the help of the National Stonewall Democrats

Many LGBT delegates, journalists, bloggers and support teams are busy making last minute plans for the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  Following is a recent listing of LGBT specific events, as well as the Convention primetime themes.

(Last updated: August 18, 2008)

Sunday, August 24
10:00am-11:30am Stonewall Democrats Brunch Renaissance Hotel 3801 Quebec St, Denver, CO 80207 Stonewall Democrats $28

6:00-9:00pm Create Change Cocktail Reception Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 1601 Arapahoe Street, Denver, CO 80204 The Task Force VIP $175, General $75

7:30-10:00pm Cocktail & Desert Reception The Westin Tabor Center, Augusta Room Stonewall Democrats & Matthew Shepard Foundation $20

Monday, August 25
12:00-2:00pm LGBT Caucus Meeting Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202

2:00-4:00pm Stonewall Democrats Tea Party The Pinnacle Club by the Grand Hyatt Stonewall Democrats $25/Free for Delegates

4:00pm-6:00pm Celebrating Diversity Reception Westin Tabor Center 1672 Lawrence Street Denver, CO 80202 HRC & NBJC

Convention Prime Time Theme – One Nation
Headline prime-time speaker: Michelle Obama
Featured speakers: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senator Claire McCaskill, Maya Soetoro-Ng and Craig Robinson
Tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy
Mayor John Hickenlooper and a video segment introducing delegates and other Convention attendees to the natural beauty and strong voices of leadership in the Mountain West

Tuesday, August 26
12:00pm-2:00pm Lunch for LGBT Delegates Rep. Baldwin, Rep. Frank, the Victory Fund, and Human Rights Campaign Sheraton Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202

7:30pm Human Rights Campaign Rock to Win concert with Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright and Margaret Cho, Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St Denver, CO 80218

Convention Prime Time Theme – Renewing America’s Promise
Headline prime-time speaker: Senator Hillary Clinton
Keynote Address: Mark Warner, former Governor of Virginia
Featured speakers: Governors Napolitano, Patrick, Rendell, Schweitzer, Sebelius and Strickland; Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Federico Peña

Wednesday, August 27
9:00am-10:00 am Big Tent panel discussion on LGBT Issues in 2008: What a Difference Four Years Makes. Human Rights Campaign will be hosting a 50-minute, panel session on LGBT issues in the 2008 election at The Big Tent on Wednesday, August 27 at 9 AM (MT). Panelists include: Celinda Lake, Arizona Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (Del.) and Jonathan Capehart.

12:00pm-2:00pm LGBT Caucus Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202

Convention Prime Time Theme – Securing America’s Future
Headline prime-time speaker: Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential Nominee.
Featured speakers: Former President Bill Clinton; Governor Bill Richardson; Senators Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Jay Rockefeller and Ken Salazar; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn; Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth.

Thursday, August 28

Convention Prime Time Theme – Change You Can Believe In
Barack Obama’s acceptance speech: On Thursday night, the DNCC will throw open the doors of the Convention and move to INVESCO Field at Mile High so that more Americans can be a part of the fourth night of the Convention as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination.