Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Historic Speech on LGBT Human Rights – ‘Gay rights are human rights’

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1. Hillary Clinton reemerges on public stage
   Posted by
   CNN’s Kevin Liptak

   Washington (CNN) – She spent most of the past twenty years as one of the
   nation’s most public faces, and after two months out of the spotlight
   Hillary Clinton picked up right where she left off.
   The former first lady, senator and secretary of state made one of her first
   public appearances after leaving the State Department Tuesday evening at a
   ceremony honoring, among others, a former colleague: Melanne Verveer, who
   acted as Clinton’s chief of staff during her years as first lady.

   The event – the Vital Voices Global Awards ceremony at Washington’s Kennedy
   Center – is one Clinton has attended in years past, and grew out of the
   Vital Voices Democracy Initiative that Clinton founded in 1997.
   The event honored women leaders in developing nations like Cambodia, Brazil
   and Somalia who sought to make life better for women – issues that have
   been at the top of Clinton’s agenda for years.
   “I was determined to weave this perspective into the fabric of American
   foreign policy,” Clinton said of her time as secretary of state, adding
   later that she intended to continue that commitment outside government.
   She emerged looking refreshed, her hair shorter, and without the
   thick-lensed glasses she wore following her fall and concussion during her
   last months in the Obama administration.
   Also on stage Tuesday: Vice President Joe Biden, who many speculate could
   be a rival for Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. Biden
   was presenting an award to a trio of brothers from India who fight human
   trafficking.
   Biden, who like Clinton was warmly received by the friendly crowd, said
   there was “no woman like Hillary Clinton.”
   Outside, a band of Hillary Clinton supporters seemed to agree with Biden.
   Waving “Hillary 2016” signs, the hundred or so backers waved and cheered as
   people arrived for the event.
   Since stepping down as secretary of state in February, Clinton has mostly
   remained true to the vow she made beforehand to lead a quiet life as a
   private citizen. She made headlines in March when she officially endorsed
   same-sex marriage in a web video, though her announcement didn’t come as a
   major surprise.
   Her reentry into public speeches will also include a speech at the Women in
   the World summit at New York City’s Lincoln Center. She’ll make remarks
   just before a panel discussion led by her daughter Chelsea.
   The summit focuses on women and global issues, and it’s another event
   Clinton has attended in the past. The other high-profile participants
   include Oprah Winfrey.
   “People are treating this as a kind of coming out for her,” said Democratic
   strategist and CNN contributor Hilary Rosen, who’s friendship with Clinton
   goes back years. “If that’s the case, it is a good thing that she is doing
   so on issue which she is so passionate about!”
   The first paid engagement that’s been announced for Clinton is a speech at
   the National Multi Housing Council in Dallas, slated for April 24. A
   Democratic source close to Clinton who confirmed her speech in Dallas did
   not disclose how much Clinton is being paid for her attendance.
   Shortly after leaving her State Department post, Clinton signed on with the
   Harry Walker Agency as her representative for speaking engagements. She is
   expected to be a highly sought speaker who could earn in the six-figure
   range per appearance.
   Clinton is also working a book about her time at the State Department and
   deciding how she’ll pursue her interest in furthering the advancement of
   women and girls, the source said.
   Another Clinton speech will come in June at the Economic Club of Grand
   Rapids.
   The slate of events come amid continued speculation on Clinton’s intentions
   in the 2016 presidential race. Public opinion polls indicate Clinton would
   enter the race with a strong advantage – a Quinnipiac University survey
   released in March, for example, indicated that Clinton would topple two of
   Florida’s popular sons, former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio. She also
   comes out on top in another swing state – Pennsylvania – according to a
   poll released last month.
   Her schedule puts her on something of a collision course with other
   potential White House contenders. Her April speech in Dallas will put her
   in town on the same day as Bush, who is set to speak across town on
   immigration and his new book.
   At least publicly, Clinton has remained undecided on a run.
   “I am out of politics right now,” she told CNN’s Elise Labott and Jill
   Dougherty in January. “And I don’t know everything I’ll be doing. I’ll be
   working on behalf of women and girls, I’ll be hopefully writing and
   speaking. Those are the things that I’m planning to do right now.”
   CNN’s Steve Brusk and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
   

2. Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Historic Speech on LGBT Human Rights – ‘Gay
   rights are human rights’ Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Historic Speech on
   LGBT Human Rights – ‘Gay rights are human rights’

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