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LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
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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
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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
