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