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Obama, Ricky Martin hosting LGBT campaign event in NYC

President Obama will get a chance to stand behind his words of support for gay marriage Monday in New York City when he attends an lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) event hosted by musician Ricky Martin. The event is the first joint event with the Obama for America LGBT Leadership Council and the Futuro Fund. According to the invitation for the New York City event, the openly gay Mart
Ricky Martin (left) and President Barack Obama will host a fundraiser Monday for the president's re-election campaign.
Ricky Martin (left) and President Barack Obama will host a fundraiser Monday for the president's re-election campaign.

President Obama will get a chance to stand behind his words of support for gay marriage Monday in New York City when he attends an lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) event hosted by musician Ricky Martin. The event is the first joint event with the Obama for America LGBT Leadership Council and the Futuro Fund

According to the invitation for the New York City event, the openly gay Martin is “thrilled” to host President Obama and his supporters for “an intimate reception at the beautiful Rubin Museum of Art. This is sure to be an incredible evening.” Tickets vary from $5,000 as a guest to $35,800 for a chair, which includes a private reception and a photo opp.

The LGBT Leadership Council was formed by Obama in 2007 as a way to rally his LGBT supporters together into one organization. The group highlights contributions LGBT Americans make to the political process and also works to expand gay rights and visibility.  

The Futuro Fund is a national initiative for the Latino community that supports Obama’s re-election campaign and is, according to its website, meant to “ensure that as Latinos, we make our presence felt in this pivotal presidential campaign.” 

Obama will also be attending the LGBT Leadership Council’s Gala in Los Angeles in June, which will be held at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Tickets are priced up to $25,000 and there'll be an exclusive performance by Pink. 

Rights for the LGBT community have been at the forefront of the news this week, with Joe Biden’s remarks on "Meet the Press" over the weekend that he was “absolutely comfortable” with gay marriage, as well as North Carolina’s amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions that passed yesterday, with roughly 61 percent support of blocking both kinds of partnerships.