Watch Obama firmly, politely shut down a transgender heckler at White House ceremony

President Obama shuts down a heckler at a LGBT event in the White House

(Image credit: Reuters/YouTube)

published 25 June 2015

On Wednesday, President Obama hosted a White House event to celebrate LGBT Pride Month, and he had an optimistic message, regardless of whether the Supreme Court recognizes a national right to same-sex marriage this term. "There has been this incredible shift in attitudes across the country," Obama said, noting that when he took office, same-sex marriage was legal in two states, and now it's legal in 37 and Washington, D.C.

Mostly, though, the event will be remembered for the transgender Latina heckler who interrupted Obama. The president has engaged with hecklers at other forums, but he was having none of it in the White House. "Listen, you're in my house," Obama said. "You're not going to get a good response from me by interrupting me like this.... Shame on you — you shouldn't be doing this." The audience agreed. He gave the heckler the chance to quiet down or be escorted out, and she chose the latter option. You can watch the entire encounter below, via Reuters. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.