Wed. November 7, 2012
Chicago, IL -
President Barack Obama won a second term in office Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
After walking on stage at Chicago's McCormick Place with his family to Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," Obama waved to the crowd of supporters and then he waited for them to finish chanting "four more years," before promising that "the best is yet to come."
"I believe we can keep the promise of our founding, the idea that if you're willing to work hard, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn't matter whether you're black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, abled, disabled, gay or straight. You can make it here in America if you're willing to try," Obama said during his victory speech.
A Gallup Report survey released last week indicated the LGBT community's strong support could help Obama edge out a win.
Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization, said Tuesday's General Election could be the most important election for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in decades.
"The re-election of Illinois' own President Obama, the first sitting president to support and campaign on a platform for marriage equality, speaks to the momentum of LGBT rights with the American voters", said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois.
It appeared the heavy turnout of Democrats paid off for LGBT candidates and ballot measures. Maine on Tuesday became the first state to approve a gay marriage law at the ballot box, Maryland voters upheld a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers and a proposed gay marriage ban in Minnesota was defeated.
Wisconsin Rep. Tammy Baldwin became the first openly gay U.S. Senator.
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