Gay Chicago celebrates history as Obama becomes the 44th President

Chicago, IL - At 11:05 a.m. Chicago time, Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office to become the country's first African-American president in a ceremony dating back to George Washington.

"We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,' Obama told the enthusiastic crowd. "America is ready to lead once more."

An estimated 2 million people, the largest inauguration audience, crowded the National Mall to witness Obama's swearing in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, using the same Bible that Lincoln used at his own swearing in on March 4, 1861.

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Obama continued to thank those who sacrificed so much so "a man whose father, less than 60 years ago, might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

Chicago's gay and lesbian community gathered throughout the city to witness the historic moment as Obama took the oath of office. Several hundred gathered at Sidetrack, which opened early today at 10:30 a.m. for Inaugural viewing. (View event photos)

"I hope to see significant change from Barack Obama," said Chris attending the Sidetrack event. "He made a number of promise, including repealing DOMA [Defense of Marriage Act]."

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed into law in 1996 by then-President Bill Clinton, says that no state "need treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state" and that the federal government does not recognize "same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states."

Obama came under fire from gay-rights advocates for his selection of Evangelical pastor Rick Warren to deliver today's invocation. Warren, who is pastor of the Saddleback Church in Southern California, spoke several times in favor of Proposition 8 and likened gay marriage to polygamy and marriage to children.

Obama comes to office with the highest approval ratings of any president in history. George W. Bush leaves with the lowest approval rating of any president except Richard Nixon, according to a new New York Times/CBS poll.