President Obama Signs Proclamation Making June 2009 LGBT Pride Month

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:14am

This just came in an email from a friend of mine:


From: Announcements to all U.S. DHHS Employees [mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of OS News, HHS (HHS/OS)
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 1:24 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: A Message from The President: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009

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

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:18am

I would think that people would prefer their civil rights as opposed to a month.

But, this could be a big step in the right direction.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:20am

Here's the link.
White House Press Release

[scott68]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:22am

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.

So... what have you done or said regarding any of those policies recently?

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:25am

That's the point scott, we're being placated so that we shut up and stop causing a fuss.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:57am

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.

Really? How gullible does he think we are?
Love the DADT line. I wonder if that translator who begged not to be fired wrote that line.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:00am

...supporting civil unions...

Civil unions are no longer enough. Civil unions deny us 1,400 rights and privileges enumerated to marriage.

You said you would be a "fierce advocate for change for us," but the states of Iowa and New Hampshire are now more fierce than you are. Iowa!

Your discomfort with the issue last night on NBC with Brian Williams this was palpable:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEv564FkpsA

Thanks for the proclamation--we haven't had one since Bill Clinton used to do them--but your words are hollow with no action.

Updated On: 6/4/09 at 08:00 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:44am

I watched that last night, too. Sooner or later he is going to have to deal with it. Though for some reason, I'm a bit more optimistic today as a result of what happened in New Hampshire yesterday.

How telling in his speech in the Middle East that he brought up the plight of African Americans who fought for their civil rights. There is a long road ahead, but we have to keep reminding President Obama that we're not going anywhere and empty proclamations just don't cut it.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 9:07am

Does this proclamation get you all a free cup of coffee at McDondal's or something? I don't understand what it is.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 9:54am

It means that for a month, you can only have gay sex if you are out and proud.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 11:14am

But is God in the mix?

[tazber]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 11:41am

yes, for the month of June god is gay.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 11:47am

"Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans."

This statement is a bare-faced LIE, as long as he continues his oft-stated opposition to same-sex marriage.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:01pm

Still no mention of all the states that have legalized gay marriage since he's been in office and still supporting civil unions, which any gay person with half a brain knows are NOT the equivalent of marriage. Who needs friends like this?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:14pm

This is the part that kills me though (and I'm paraphrasing): "...the government is not in the business of...." Yea, but even though the constitution denotes a separation of church and state that hasn't stopped "religion" from creeping into the decision making process!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:32pm

It's just another press release...

Someone else wrote it, and he signed it.

It doesn't mean sh!t.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:47pm

And correct me if I am wrong, but haven't some states already declared June Gay Pride Month? I know it is here in Colorado.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:47pm

"Here's a lollipop now go sit over there and be quiet. Leave nice Mr President alone!"

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:51pm

June is ALWAYS Gay Pride Month.

Declaring it such it pointless and nothing more than a grand "Look at me" gesture.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:01pm

I thought it was and has been for a long while. I voted for the man but I don't get this. It's like he is throwing the gay community a bone or something. I can wait for him to get to gay marriage. There are more pressing things going on but he needs to address the gay community before the year is out. Interesting that I have not seen this announcement on our local news though. JMO

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:15pm

He's not going to get to it.

The Brian Williams interview that is posted, proves it.

Brian asked him directly and he drove right around the issue, bringing up 'Civil Unions'.

He's thrown us under the bus, and I knew it was going to happen.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:22pm

This is why you riot.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:25pm

Diva, it ALWAYS happens, Clinton did it too. As much as I despise the Republican Party, at least we know straight up (pun intended) where we stand with them.
Our votes are needed so promises are made, "Hope" is sold for the price of those votes. When in office, it is under the bus!

[Plum]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 3:22pm

It's certainly true that the federal government historically hasn't usually made marriage its business. Which is why Obama should get rid of DOMA, right? Anyway, there's still plenty of time left in his term to wear him down. Which I'm happy to help do, however long it takes and however stubborn we have to be.

Obama's no liberal miracle, and I'm glad I never thought he was so I don't feel the letdown now. But I've seen outright conservative politicians turned around on this issue after years of well-thought-out lobbying- I'm not talking about Cheney, but the Cheney "model" of showing them that their constituents, family, friends, and neighbors, the people they respect and care about, are gay does work eventually. "Eventually" being the sad key word. So I have hope - just not the "yay everything will change on Election Day" hope the Obama campaign seemed to be spreading last year.