Obama argues with trans activist during White House speech

Barack Obama has been filmed having a heated exchange with a woman interjecting into his speech at an LGBT event in the White House.

The US President – who just this week hailed LGBT rights as one of his administration’s greatest successes – was speaking at a reception to mark Pride, when a transgender activist began to shout over him, the Guardian reports.

the activist interjected, heckling him about the detention and deportation of LGBT asylum seekers. The Commander-in-Chief was mid-speech, saying: “Over the years we’ve gathered to celebrate Pride month, I’ve told you that I’m so hopeful about what we can accomplish, I’ve told you that the civil rights of LGBT Americans is” – when the activist interjected, heckling him about the detention and deportation of LGBT asylum seekers.

After pausing his speech, Obama replied: “Listen, you’re in my house.”

With the activist undeterred, he continued: “It’s not respectful when you get invited. “You’re not going to get a good response from me when you interrupt me like this. I’m sorry.”

He added: “Shame on you. You shouldn’t be doing this”, at which point which the crowd started chanting the president’s name.

After the heckler was removed form the event, the 53 year-old explained: “As a general rule I am just fine with a few hecklers, but not when I’m up in the house.

“My attitude is, well if you’re eating the hors d’oeuvres… you know what I’m saying?”

After another trans capaigner shouted: “We love you. The transsexuals love you”, Obama smiled and replied: “I love you back.”

“That’s the kind of heckling I can always accept.”

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