“I have seen and witnessed so many things over the past two years and I can say with such certainty that this is the single most important moment of my career. ... The younger generation, my generation, we are the ones coming up in the world, and we must continue to push this movement forward and close the gap. We must demand full equality for all. They say that this country is free and they say that this country is equal, but it is not equal if it’s (only) sometimes (equal). Obama, I know that you’re listening. ARE YOU LISTENING?! We will continue to push you and your administration to bring your words of promise to a reality. We need change now. We demand action now.”

“I could not discern anything new. It felt like a reiteration of the pledges he made during the campaign, it felt like a campaign speech. It was well-written, it was beautifully delivered – the man has the gift – but, you know, I hope this is not true but, we need to keep reminding ourselves and the young people who were not present during the Clinton administration that this is very similar. This is déjà vu all over again. The beautiful speeches, the flowery proclamations, the willingness to attend our parties, and the list of well-connected people who get great jobs. I’m sorry, but appointing a gay man ambassador to New Zealand is not a very bold step. ... We’ve got to keep doing the work to push him to do the right thing.”