Obama Makes
History in Shout Out To Gays

President-Elect Barack Obama became the first to mention gays in his acceptance speech last night, as three marriage amendments across the country passed, restricting the rights of LGBT citizens.

"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America," he said Tuesday night before a crowd of more than 100,000 at Chicago's Grant Park.

Obama spoke of 106-year-old Ann Nixon Cooper, who was born to former slaves during a time that she could not vote as a woman or had no protections to vote as an African-American.

"She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky, when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin," Obama said. "And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can."

Obama's speech followed Republican nominee John McCain's graceful concession speech, delivered to a crowd of disappointed supporters. He praised his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who fought back tears standing next to McCain.

"This is an historic election," McCain said to a crowd at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix. I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans, for the special pride that must be theirs tonight," McCain said of the nation's first black president. "I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too." (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)