THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2009
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration — in both the White House and the Federal agencies — openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
guys got alot on his plate, give him time.
he certainly can’t do any worse than bush did…
Really just a semantic argument, but I think it’d be better to have an LGBT History month than a “pride” month. Or something. Why is it the other special months are “history” months while LGBT is “pride”?
Actually the reason why Barack may not be “moving” on the gay issue is because of something Dick Cheney, of all people, said. Dick Cheney IS a supporter of gay rights and gay marriage. However, he believes the issue should be handled at the State level, not the Federal.
I think Barack is in the same position. The Federal Gov’t cannot simply trounce upon the States powers when it’s politically advantageous to do so.
I think that Barack is doing what he can by promoting LGBT month. It puts the onus on the people to create the change.
Obama has only been President for 5 months. These things don’t happen over night. This could be an important first step.
My apologies, but I think it’s total bullshit. He has not done one thing favorable for gays, and when it comes to reelection, are all the apologists going to still be saying things like “He’s only been President for four years” or “He’s got a lot on his plate and the last thing he needs to worry about is any of the promises for change he made when he was applying for the job.”
Wow. He declared gay pride month. That should keep the queens happy while he ignores us for the next 3½ years.
The problem with leaving it to the states to decide is that the dyed-in-the-wool redneck ones will never overturn years of generational discrimination. We need federal protection to keep from being fired or denied housing. That type of executive order along with eliminating Don’t Ask Don’t Tell would be a good show of faith and simple enough to accomplish with just the stroke of a pen.
He may have been slack on the GLBT issues but this is a start. Don’t forget that Obama has to clean up an 8 year mess left by Bush. We don’t know what he has planned next, this just could be the start of things. Be patient.
Pardon me, he issued a procolamtion just like most other presidents have. WOW, lets just have a party, hold hands and sing! He is not going to keep the promises he made, he said what he must to get elected and you all can give the excuses you want and rationalize.
To me he has done more than any other has done when it comes to even acknowleding GLBT. However, I am not one that lives my life as a gay man. I live my life as a man that is gay and place importance on those things in life that need to be addressed such as finances, my home life, and being the best I can be. President Obama has done good. If you want immediate results hit the streets and make things happen your damn selves. Bitching behind a computer screen is not going to make it happen.