Michelle Obama confronted a pro-gay rights heckler yesterday
at a Democratic party fundraiser, telling her: "You can take the mic but
I'm leaving."
The heckler was demanding an executive order from the
Obama's husband, President Barack Obama, on protection from employer
discrimination.
According to the The Huffington Post, the First Lady
said: "One of the things I don't do well is this," to loud applause.
She then walked away from the lectern and towards the
heckler, saying she could: "listen to me or you can take the mic, but I'm
leaving. You all decide. You have one choice."'
The crowd reportedly shouted that they wanted her to stay,
and for the heckler, later revealed as 56-year-old Ellen Sturtz, to go.
Ms Sturtz was then escorted from the room, saying in an
interview later: "She came right down in my face. I was taken aback."
She said she had paid $500 to attend the event as part of a
plan by the gay rights group GetEqual. The event, held at the upmarket
Washington home of a wealthy lesbian couple, saw 200 Democrat supporters pay up
to $10,000 to attend.
President Barack Obama came out in favour of gay marriage
last year during his re-election campaign and has been even more vocal in
favour of equal rights since his second term began.
The official White House transcript of the event omitted the
First Lady's reported threat to leave the event if she was further interrupted.
In a statement afterwards, Ms Sturtz said: "I lived and
worked in the closet, hiding who I was in order to earn a living.
"I had planned to speak tonight with DNC (Democratic
National Committee) officials but, as the First Lady was talking about our
children's future and ensuring that they have everything they need to live
happy and productive lives, I simply couldn't stay silent any longer.
"I'm looking ahead at a generation of young people who
could live full, honest, and open lives with the stroke of the President's
pen."
A few hours before the heckling incident, White House Press
Secretary Jay Carney told reporters: "I can tell you that the President
has long supported, as you know, an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination
Act. ... And his administration will continue to work to build support for it.
"The President's record on support for LGBT rights is
significant and well known."
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