Presidential Proclamation--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

[jefferson_dem]

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 28, 2010

Presidential Proclamation--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.

LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.

My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.

In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation's promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-pride-month

[davidinalameda]

1. gee thanks

we get a nice proclamation but we still can't serve openly in the military

Obama's DOJ is still supporting DOMA in the courts

but keep those proclamations coming!

[jefferson_dem]

2. Perhaps you slept through last week.

http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS356US356&q=dadt&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=nws:1&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn

I would have wagered that the first post would have been one that is critical of the proclamation. Sure enough... Here you are.

Hey, I feel your frustration. Progress is being made ... not swift and bold enough for any of us ... but it's being made ... slowly but surely.

By the way, Presidential proclamations are symbolic but not insignificant. They reflect who we are as a nation. Did you actually read this one before condemning it?

[impik]

5. In 17 months this president did more for gays

then any other president, but It's a waste of time to even point this out.

[jefferson_dem]

6. It's pointless.

Some will feel destined to be disappointed. They will never give any credit even when reality hits them right on the nose.

[Cha]

7. Yes, the Admin has been working to end DADT..

and this Proclaimation is very much an awareness of who we are as a Nation(I like the way you put that).

Thank you, Jefferson.

[davidinalameda]

9. now IF the Senate votes to repeal DADT

how long does the Pentagon have to "study" the issue?

[stevenleser]

12. Until December 1, assuming they take all the time which I suspect they won't n/t

[Political Tiger]

3. You haven't heard the news?

They are working to end DADT right now and it is the job of "Obama's DOJ" to defend the laws of the United States in the courts.

Now, if you want to see the end of DOMA, whining on a message board isn't going to do any good, you need to petition your Representatives in Congress to pass a law repealing DOMA since only Congress can do that (they are the ones who make the laws), meanwhile, soon you'll be able to openly serve in the military thanks in part to the support of President Obama.

[mkultra]

8. but bitching on a message board FEELS good

even those its the laziest act possible to make change.

[ampad]

10. Bitch, moan, complain

You know I was naive enough to believe that the federal hate crime law included crimes against GLBT. I learned today that this was not always the case. I learn today that more than 10yrs after Matthew Shepard was killed and tortured that THIS president enacted the Matthew Shepard act. Have you acknowledge the president for doing this? Oh no you are still pissed about DADT. You know I find this kind of funny in a way: DADT was put in place to keep gay people out of the military. The president has not moved fast enough for you, boo hoo. Yet he moves to make sure that if a GLBT person is harmed or killed based on sexual orientation; that the freak who committed the crime will face federal charges. Which in turn will help keep the GLBT safer. Let's see

get kicked out of the military because of sexual orientation
killed or harmed because of sexual orientation
get kicked out of the military because of sexual orientation
killed or harmed because of sexual orientation
get kicked out of the military because of sexual orientation
killed or harmed because of sexual orientation.


The way I see, for some people, this president will never have their approval. Never.

[davidinalameda]

17. so its either/or?

and I've already mentioned DOMA

so according to your wisdom its either/or/or

right?

[marshall]

4. Now if we can just get all the nominees and cabinet members to come out of the closet

Come into the light--the light is good!

[jenmito]

11. K&R for the "homophobic" president! n/t

[Politicub]

13. Thank you Mr. President

[Prism]

14. That's nice. Stop the discharges. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

15. Hear! Hear!

[David Zephyr]

16. K&R.

Thanks for the post.