President Barack Obama continued to display solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community over the weekend by surprising everyone at the Gay Games 9 , held this year in Cleveland, Ohio. The pro-LGBT president recorded a heartfelt video that welcomed athletes from around the world to the games, and reinforced his administration's commitment to equality for the LGBT community.

"I know some of you have come from place where it requires courage -- even defiance -- to come out, sometimes at great personal risk," Obama states in the above video. "You should know that the Untied States stands with you and for your human rights, just as our athletes stand with you on the fields at these games. After all, the very idea of America is that no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from or who you love, you can make it if you try."