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.

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?

-Speaking of Hillary supporters, the press seems to be having a field day interviewing those supposed “Hillary Supporters for McCain” outside the Convention Hall. There is not a doubt in my mind that they are NOT real Hillary supporters but McCain plants. Listening to them is like listening to the inmates who escaped from the asylum in the movie “King of Hearts”. They are nuts. Why the media keeps giving them time is beyond me. Are ratings really that important?

-The press seems to be desperate to know what the Republicans are thinking of our Convention and giving them enormous amounts of time to comment on our proceedings. Do we really need a commentator from the Christian Broadcasting Network being given tons of time? Give me a break, and please, God, give them the hook!

-The most sought-after couple at the Democratic Convention is Jeremy Bernard and Rufus Gifford. They are business partners and a couple in real life. The duo are the stars of the Obama fundraising machine in California. Every Democratic candidate is attempting to sign these talented fellas for the 2010 elections. Handsome, talented and sought after for business, somehow it is just not fair. They should have to struggle more!

-Speaking of the dynamic duo, Gifford and Bernard were seen at the MSNBC / Newsweek Party (Alter Party) at Scott Coors and David Harts. Tall, lanky Charlie Rose was there surrounded by awestruck fans. Howard Fineman, who appeared to be really enjoying the party, was giving opinions to anyone that would listen to what Obama must do (get nasty) to win the election. The party was filled with internet and blog people.

-Former Hillary Clinton supporter Congresswomen Loretta Sanchez says she hasn’t endorsed Obama yet because she hadn’t received a call from him yet. Will a telegram do, Loretta? Must make our troops feel good that the petulant Congresswoman is making a protocol call more important than the War.

-OK, someone has to say it and it might as well be me. John McCain’s appearance on the “Tonight Show” was disgusting. When Leno joked about his numerous homes, McCain’s answer was to go into the fact that he was a prisoner of war. Does this mean anytime there is a hot question that we will hear about his POW incarceration? No one wants to diminish that experience but it seems he is doing a good job of it himself. We should not accept him hiding behind that experience every time he makes a mistake. It dishonors him and all other POWs. His constantly played POW card is becoming dangerously close to failed candidate Rudy Guliani’s criminally self-serving 9/11 mantra. So there, I said it.

-Poor late Senator Eugene McCarthy, even in death he cannot get his due. Duing Tuesday’s “In Memoriam” segment honoring all the great Democrats who died since the last Convention, they placed the name “Senator Joseph McCarthy” next to his pictures. Joseph McCarthy was of course the horrible ‘red-baiter’ from the 1950’s!

-The Brown Palace Hotel has turned out to be the place to be seen at this Convention. Huddling in the lobby of the hotel were actor Sean Penn and Maria’s brother Robert Shriver. Would have loved to have had a hidden microphone on that conversation!

-Message to any poor pitiful gay person who is considering voting for McCain: The Republican Platform officially includes a plank supporting putting a marriage ban in the Constitution of the United States. Still feel all aglow for McCain? If so, let me suggest a therapist to deal with your self-hatred. Time for you Log Cabin Republicans to leave your back-woods and come into the light.

-On to the Speakers at the Convention – did anyone notice that Senator Mark Warner gave the keynote? It was so boring and so bad. Really Senator, you were so cautious that the delegates talked over your speech.

-Maybe the keynote should have gone to Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio who followed Warner! Strickland got the crowd going and gave a good old fashion “give them hell speech. ” The delegates came alive.

-Then there was the incredible speech and performance given by Montana’s rancher Governor Brian Schweitzer. The “prairie populist” hard-hitting, funny, sincere and intelligent. Where has the Democratic Party been hiding this man? He should be hitting the circuit for Obama this Fall! In some ways, he reminded me of the Texas Democrat Jim Hightower.

-Finally, one of my favorite speeches was by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. It was an old fashioned stem winder that had the crowd chatting, cheering and laughing to his “Wake Up America” theme. Strickland’s and Schweitzer’s speeches were in prime time but Kucinich was early in the day. In case you missed his speech, take a look at in the youtube.com segment below!

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:

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.