OCTOBER 03 2014 VOLUME 45 ISSUE 40 • CELEBRATING 45 YEARS AS AMERICA’S GAY NEWS SOURCE • WASHINGTONBLADE.COM Holder leaves signifi cant LGBT rights legacy after stepping down as attorney general By CHRIS JOHNSON
[email protected] After serving for more than six years as U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder leaves a signifi cant imprint on the record of the Obama administration — and at the forefront of that legacy is his role in advancing LGBT rights. At an event last week in the State Dining Room of the White House announcing his departure, President Obama said Holder made revitalizing the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department a priority because he believes it’s “the conscience of the building.” “And several years ago, he recommended that our government stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act — a decision that was vindicated by the Supreme Court, and opened the door to federal recognition of same-sex marriage, and federal benefi ts for same-sex couples,” Obama said. “It’s a pretty good track record.” The sense that LGBT rights had signifi cantly advanced during the administration was echoed by Holder in remarks that followed Obama’s. “We have begun to realize the promise of equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters and their families,” Holder said. ‘We have begun to realize the promise of equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters and their CONTINUES ON PAGE 12 families,’ said ERIC HOLDER. Human relations commission into whether LGBT students at Cape Henlopen High discussion on the role that the State Human Relations investigating anti-LGBT discrimination School in the city of Lewes have been subjected to Commission can play in promoting amicable relations,” discrimination.