VIDEO: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Calls FMA ‘Malicious,’ Hits ‘Voices of Hate’ in Speech to Human Rights Campaign

The following is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) speech to the homosexual activist group Human Rights Campaign, at HRC’s annual dinner in Washington, D.C., on October 6, 2007. Speaker Pelosi was awarded the 2007 National Equality Award by HRC, which is the largest homosexual activist group in the world. Under the video screen are some excerpts of Pelosi’s speech, taken from homosexual activist John Aravosis’ Americablog. Aravosis’ transcript is not wholly accurate; we will work on providing an exact transcript of the speech:

 

Excerpts from Pelosi speech at Human Rights Campaign (HRC) banquet:

“It is a special honor to receive this recognition from HRC and a personal joy to receive it from Jim Hormel. 

“Thank you as well to Joe Solmonese for leading the way and defending the rights of the entire GLBT community. I will display this award with great pride so that everyone knows that HRC and all of you have a friend in the Speaker’s office. …

[Salute to HRC]

“Tonight, we join together in our nation’s capital to celebrate the accomplishments and the courage of the Human Rights Campaign.

“More than 700,000 voices strong, HRC is the prime mover for GLBT rights across America and an inspiration for millions more.

“When Jim Hormel and many other courageous Americans built the foundations of what would become HRC, our struggle for justice was in its early stages. But our cause for justice would not be denied.

“For being a powerful and positive counterbalance to the voices of hate – and for being the hope and salvation of millions of Americans – thank you, HRC. 

[Condemns Federal Marriage Amendment]

“As we strive to work in a bipartisan way, we must also recognize the difference a Democratic Congress makes.

“In the previous Congress, we fought back cynical attempts to enshrine discrimination into the Constitution and defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment.

“In a Democratic Congress, unlike previous Congresses, malicious measures intended to divide the American people or to undermine the rights of the GLBT community are off the table.

…
“Instead, our Democratic Congress has a positive agenda.

[Transgender-Inclusive Hate Crimes Bill]

…

“This past May, the House passed Chairman John Conyers’ legislation protecting Americans against violence based on sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or gender identity.

“Some doubted that we could pass a hate crime bill if it included protections for transgender Americans.

“But [lesbian Democrat] Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin would not be denied.

“Representatives Baldwin and [homosexual Massachusetts Democrat] Barney Frank fought for a fully inclusive bill. HRC rallied support. And with 237 votes, the House passed hate crimes legislation.

“Just last week, the Senate followed suit with a strong bipartisan vote. Thank you, Harry Reid.

“After 15 long years, we will – for the first time – put this bipartisan hate crimes legislation on the President’s desk. …

[Wants Transgender-Inclusive ENDA]

“As members and supporters of HRC, you understand that it is truly historic that the House of Representatives will soon pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

“The tremendous progress we have would not have been possible without the great leadership of  Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts [D]. With his brilliance, his wit and legislative skill, he persevered in bringing ENDA before the Congress.

“America is a great and wealthy country, but we cannot afford to squander the talents of any of our citizens, nor should we.

“We all benefit if everyone gets a chance to work hard, and support their families.

“Yet today, in more than 30 states you can be fired for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

“That is wrong. Federal action is needed, and it is long overdue.

“I strongly believe that transgender individuals deserve the same rights and the same protections as any other Americans and will work to see that ENDA also protects their rights.

“In a few weeks, the House will be voting on ENDA. And those who oppose us will be lobbying on the Hill and working to defeat any version of ENDA. We cannot allow the forces of discrimination succeed.

“Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and others will do the inside maneuvering. But we cannot succeed without outside mobilization. Working together, we will mobilize, and educate. Each and every one of us must take personal responsibility for passing the strongest possible ENDA – one vote at a time.

“History teaches us that progress on civil rights is never easy. But justice is inevitable. It’s about time.

“Many saw the 1957 Civil Rights Act as not having done enough, but it helped lay the groundwork for the great Civil Rights Act that followed.

“On the occasion of receiving the HRC Equality Award, I give you my commitment as Speaker of the House that I will fight for the most inclusive ENDA possible so that our nation’s laws are in harmony with our nation’s ideals.

[Praises San Francisco’s ‘Tolerance’]

“I accept this honor tonight on behalf of the many members of Congress who stand with HRC, not because it is popular in their districts, but because it is right.

“I also accept this award on behalf of my constituents in San Francisco.

“People always say it is easy for me to take these votes and be for these issues because San Francisco is so tolerant.

“It is not about tolerance. It is about the respect we have for each other. It is about the pride we take in our community.

“That sentiment is now spreading across America. And it is happening thanks to the work of the Human Rights Campaign – and each and every one of you. …

“May God Bless you, and May God Bless the America.”