On June 22, President Barack Obama held a reception at the White House honoring Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.  LGBT leaders and activists from all over the country were invited to take part in the celebration.

Obama said the United States has made progress during his term in office on equal treatment for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.  He reminded the audience that the Department of Health and Human Services has directed most U.S. hospitals to allow visitation rights for partners of gays and lesbians and announced he had issued an order extending “as many partnership benefits to gay and lesbian federal employees as possible under current law.”

Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, was invited by Congressman Alcee Hastings to attend the event.  “I’m honored to stand with leaders from across the country to represent the many Floridians who have stood up for equality. We must continue to fight prejudice and discrimination everywhere it exists,” he said.

Also in attendance were Nadine Smith and Stratton Pollitzer representing Equality Florida, the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.