Transgender Americans explicitly mentioned for first time ever in State of the Union

President Obama on Tuesday night directly mentioned lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in his State of the Union address — the first time any of those words has ever made it into the annual speech.

"As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we're threatened," Obama said, adding, "That's why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender."

Obama previously mentioned gay rights in his second inaugural address, but in more general terms.

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