It's been several days since her first trip to Washington D.C., and Adrienne Williams is still buzzing with excitement.
"It was just wonderful," the lifelong Chicagoan gushed. "I loved D.C. so much I wanted to live there," she said with a laugh.
Williams, who founded the Bi Social Network in 2008, was one of hundreds of LGBT activists invited to President Obama's third annual Pride reception, held at the White House June 29. The Bi Social Network is the largest social-media hub for bisexual content on the Internet.
Obama briefly addressed the packed house ("Nothing ruins a good party like a long speech from a politician."), and highlighted the strides his administration made in recent years. He specifically pointed out the Matthew Shepard Act, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the decision to stop defending DOMA in courts and lifting the HIV travel ban.
"Now, that doesn't mean our work is done," Obama said. "There are going to be times where you're still frustrated with me. I know there are going to be times where you're still frustrated at the pace of change. I understand that. I know I can count on you to let me know. This is not a shy group."
Obama insisted he would continue to push for gains, but said those in the audience would be the game-changers. "What gives me hope is the deeper shift that we're seeing that's a transformation not just in our laws but in the hearts and minds of peoplethe progress led not by Washington but by ordinary citizens," he said.
Guests were served complimentary champagne and an array of hors d'oeuvres, including crab cakes, baby lamb chops and mini-cupcakes. Williams said spirits were high at the event, as attendees laughed, chatted and networked with one another.
In addition to meeting Obama (Michelle Obama was unable to attend due to recent travel in Africa), Williams spoke with Kathy Greenlee, the assistant secretary for aging at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and discussed conducted studies on bisexuality.
"[HHS feels] that the bi community hasn't gotten enough data, and they want to do a big, giant study on the bi community," Williams said, adding, "They want to get more information so they can get funding with different programs that are needed." Williams cited mental heath as an oft-ignored concern that could receive more funding with additional data.
While Williams said networking was one of the biggest draws of the reception, she was also excited about simply being in the White House. Guests continually marveled at being invited to such a "once-in-a-lifetime" event, she said.
"It was overwhelming to see how much historywith all the presidents and their first ladiesis there on these walls," she said. "People were just really, really happy to be there."