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Michelle Obama's speech interrupted by gay protester Michelle Obama's speech interrupted by gay protester
(35 minutes later)
A speech by US First Lady Michelle Obama at a fundraising event has been briefly interrupted by a protester demanding equal rights for gays.A speech by US First Lady Michelle Obama at a fundraising event has been briefly interrupted by a protester demanding equal rights for gays.
Mrs Obama was speaking in Washington when a woman in the crowd started shouting, demanding an executive order on gay and lesbian rights. Mrs Obama was speaking in Washington when a woman in the crowd started shouting, demanding White House action on gay and lesbian rights.
Mrs Obama then approached the woman and said: "Listen to me or you can take the mic, but I'm leaving."Mrs Obama then approached the woman and said: "Listen to me or you can take the mic, but I'm leaving."
The crowd urged Mrs Obama to stay, and the woman was then escorted out.The crowd urged Mrs Obama to stay, and the woman was then escorted out.
The protester at the Democratic National Committee fundraiser on Tuesday evening was later identified as Ellen Sturtz, a member of the GetEQUAL gay rights group.The protester at the Democratic National Committee fundraiser on Tuesday evening was later identified as Ellen Sturtz, a member of the GetEQUAL gay rights group.
In an interview with The Huffington Post, the 56-year-old said: "I was asked by the First Lady to be quiet, and I can't be quiet any longer. Ms Sturtz, 56, was calling for an executive order to bar discrimination by federal contractors based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
As she was escorted out, reporters heard her say she was a "lesbian looking for federal equality before I die".
In an interview with The Huffington Post, she said: "I was asked by the First Lady to be quiet, and I can't be quiet any longer.
"I was surprised by how negative the crowd seemed to be. It was actually a little unsettling and disturbing.""I was surprised by how negative the crowd seemed to be. It was actually a little unsettling and disturbing."
She said gay activists had been asking President Obama to sign the executive order for five years. "How much longer do we need to wait?" She said gay activists had been asking Mr Obama to sign the executive order for five years. "How much longer do we need to wait?"
Last year, Mr Obama publicly voiced his support for gay marriage, but is refusing to issue his executive order on the issue dividing Americans. In his first term, Mr Obama voiced his support for gay marriage and helped push the repeal of the US military's ban on openly gay service members through Congress.
But he also said he would not sign an executive order related to federal contractor hiring. Legislation to that end has not advanced in Congress.
Tuesday's event was held in the home of a lesbian couple who had previously raised money for the Obamas. Attendees had paid $500 (£326) to $10,000 for tickets.