Jane M. Saks, Executive Director of the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media at Columbia and Institute Advisory Board Member Evette Cardona were among 250 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders, activists, national rights activists, and philanthropists from across the country in attendance at a special reception and speech at the White House with President Barak and First Lady Michelle Obama on Monday, June 29.
The historic White House gathering was a celebration of LGBT Pride Month and commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riot in New York City which is noted as the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement. The invitation recognizes the tireless contributions of these individuals and many, many others to the LGBT fight for equal rights.
In addition to Saks, Cardona, and eight other LGBT activists from Chicago, the Obamas welcomed educators, artists, journalists, cultural workers and national rights advocates including Joe Solomonese, Human Rights Campaign; Kate Kendell and Shannon Minter, National Center for Lesbian Rights; Kevin Cathcart, Lambda Legal Defense Fund; Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equity; and Rea Carey, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
“This event and President Obama’s content-filled speech were deeply important and valuable as reflective of the administration’s commitment to equality.” Saks said. “This is only the second time in US history a group of LGBT individuals was hosted at the White House, and the first time in history by the President. As the President commented on Monday, not long ago it would have been impossible to imagine LGBT individuals being invited to the White House – and being greeted by an African-American President.”
The historic event was not without controversy. Recent actions by the administration have received significant criticism from LGBT activists, who have expressed impatience with the speed at which President Obama is fulfilling his campaign promises to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (the federal law barring gay marriage) and the “don’t ask don’t tell” military policy that bars gays and lesbians from serving openly.
President Obama acknowledged the frustration of the LGBT community, noting that, “It’s not for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago.
“We’ve been in office six months now,” he added. “I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration.”
As a long-time LGBT activist who worked on the Obama campaign, Saks reflected on the progress: “As remarkable as this gathering is, and the important and historic work of this administration in their short six months in office, it is not enough until the long and hard-fought work for equitable laws and policies are enacted. I look forward to continuing to participate and engage in that struggle and work with this administration. We all have the responsibility to be catalysts for social change–through our activism, engagement and holding our elected officials and leaders to the highest standards that a democracy promises. It promises equitable participation engaging a population that represents the full breadth of our global society.”
Jane M. Saks is a feminist activist, arts administrator, writer and educator. She has focused her work on arts and culture, women, gender, race, LGBTQ issues, and political human rights and social justice movements. She is the co-chair of the Chicago Foundation for Women’s Lesbian Leadership Council and has served on their board for six years. In addition, Ms. Saks advises and/or serves on the boards of many arts, LGBTQ, and progressive nonprofits including Radio Diaries of National Public Radio, OUT at Chicago History Museum, Chicago Committee of African Women’s Development Fund, Experimental Station, Friends of South Africa’s Constitutional Court Architecture and Artworks Programme Committee and she served on Planning/Programming Committees for the national conference, “Race, Sex and Power: New Movements in Black and Latina/o Sexualities,” and Margaret Garner Opera Community Partners. Saks served on the Obama Campaign as a LGBT Liaison Committee Member. She has lectured widely on the arts, advocacy and social change, at numerous conferences and cultural and educational institutions and as a media spokesperson. She was recently honored by Business and Professional People for the Public Interest with the “40 Who Have Made a Difference” Award. Her full bio is available on the Institute web site (www.colum.edu/institutewomengender).