WATCH: Obama Affirms LGBT Rights, Denounces Russia in Brussels Speech

'We believe in human dignity -- that every person is created equal, no matter who you are, or what you look like, or who you love, or where you come from,' the president tells European youth.

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.

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Trudy Ring

March 27 2014 2:55 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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President Obama took an opportunity during his European tour to stand up for LGBT rights, as he addressed the topic and condemned Russia's antigay policies in a speech Wednesday in Brussels.

Speaking to about 2,000 European young people at the Palais Des Beaux-Arts, Obama promoted the values of acceptance and equality, saying, "We believe in human dignity -- that every person is created equal, no matter who you are, or what you look like, or who you love, or where you come from."

Later, he added, "Instead of targeting our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, we can use our laws to protect their rights. Instead of defining ourselves in opposition to others, we can affirm the aspirations that we hold in common. That's what will make America strong. That's what will make Europe strong. That's what makes us who we are."

The speech came a day before Obama's meeting with Pope Francis, but early reports from that session indicate LGBT rights did not come up, although the president and the pope did touch on differences over the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act, something to which U.S. Catholic leaders have objected.

Watch Obama's full Wednesday address below.