DOMA plaintiff was among those invited to State Dinner for President of France
President Barack Obama was flying in Air Force One last June when he placed a call to Edie Windsor to congratulate her on making history.
It was the day that because of Windsor’s landmark lawsuit, the US Supreme Court gutted the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act. She sued the US government for denying her tax benefits after the death of her spouse of 42 years, Thea Spyer.
This week, Windsor and Obama met face-to-face for the first time and the president invited the 83-year-old LGBTI icon into the Oval Office for a private chat.
Winsdor was one of 350 guests at the State Dinner held for President François Hollande of France. But she seems to be the only one The White House released an Oval Office photo of.
Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett wrote on The White House blog today: ‘The thanks expressed by the President that day have been echoed by millions of Americans, including thousands of legally married couples who can now live their lives with greater justice and dignity – thanks to heroes like Edie Windsor who have been willing to stand up and fight for equality under the law.’
Other guests at the State Dinner included Bradley Cooper, Stephen Colbert, Cicely Tyson; and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Mary J. Blige performed.
by Greg Hernandez
Source – Gay Star News
