Michelle Obama hits out at anti-LGBT law while speaking in Mississippi
Michelle Obama has hit out at anti-trans ‘bathroom bills’, while speaking in Mississippi.
The First Lady made the comments while speaking at Jackson State University in the state of Mississippi.
The state recently introduced an anti-LGBT bill which restricts the rights of trans people to use a gender-appropriate bathroom.
“If we fail to exercise our fundamental right to vote, then I guarantee that so much of the progress we’ve fought for will be under threat,” Mrs Obama said on Saturday.
“Congress will still be gridlocked. Statehouses will continue to roll back voting rights and write discrimination into the law. We see it right here in Mississippi — just two weeks ago -– how swiftly progress can hurtle backward, how easy it is to single out a small group and marginalise them because of who they are or who they love.”
Going on, she said: “So we’ve got to stand side by side with all our neighbours –- straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender; Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu immigrant, Native American — because the march for civil rights isn’t just about African-Americans, it’s about all Americans.
“It’s about making things more just, more equal, more free for all our kids and grandkids. That’s the story you all have the opportunity to write. That’s what this historic university has prepared you to do.”
During his final visit to the UK as the President of the United States, Barack Obama said that anti-LGBT laws in states like Mississippi should be reversed.
He commented on the issue as the UK government this week updated its travel advice for the United States – to warn gay people about new anti-LGBT laws.
Obama said that gay travellers should still go to the US, and that they would be treated with “extraordinary hospitality.”
