THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary

Summary: THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate nbsp Release nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp June 1 2009LESBIAN 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 8217 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 8212 in both the White House and the Federal agencies 8212 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 8220 Don 8217 t Ask Don 8217 t Tell 8221 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 THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate nbsp Release nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp June 1 2009LESBIAN 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 8217 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 8212 in both the White House and the Federal agencies 8212 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 8220 Don 8217 t Ask Don 8217 t Tell 8221 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

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