Exactly one year into his first term, President Barack Obama faces some of the toughest political terrain to date. To mark the anniversary of his swearing-in on January 20 of last year, Advocate.com asked a handful of LGBT advocates to weigh in on the state of his presidency today and the state of LGBT equality.

Joe Solmonese, president, Human Rights Campaign



In 2009 there was historic progress — including enactment of hate-crimes protections and the lifting of the HIV travel and immigration ban — but LGBT people and our families still face discrimination and that has to change now.  Gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members are still being discharged from the military, LGBT people can still be fired because of who we are in too many places, and our families are treated unequally under federal law. Although we have a strong ally in the White House and pro-equality leadership on Capitol Hill, change won’t happen unless all of us increase our pressure and advocacy.  


David Mixner, longtime LGBT activist who called for the National Equality March



There is no question that President Obama has missed a historic opportunity for change in the last year.  The Republican victory in Massachusetts proves the point many of us had been making the entire year — now is the time. Never again will we have the political opportunity with 60 Senators and a majority in the House to make change for the LGBT community.   
 


Instead, some amazingly stupid calculations of taking everything slowly for our rights has resulted in a year with little progress for the LGBT community. Yes, there have been highlights and some victories, but the chance for a really historic breakthrough in our rights has been lost to those who played to caution instead of substantial action. What a tragic missed opportunity.
 


In fact, the president's silence while we have been fighting major battles have actually begun to hurt us. His words of proclaiming marriage is between a man and a woman has been used over and over against us without a word from the White House. Silence has been a way of action for this White House on the major LGBT battles. Even Pope Benedict XVI spoke more passionately against the "kill gays" legislation in Uganda than our own president.
 


What a year of disappointment.