Subscribe to Breaking NewsObama issues LGBT Pride statement
From the White House:
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
Dear politicians:
Please stop putting “civil unions” and “true equality” in the same statement. It’s not equal, and it’s wrong.
The “full spectrum of equal rights” also means equality in marriage, Mr. President.
Separate but equal is not equal, sir, as any black man your age in this country should well know.
Okay, this is a good statement, but it must accompany action, starting by a declaration that LGBT people have an equal share in the responsibilities of citizenship and that means an immediate end to “Don’t ask; don’t tell”.
“I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.”
Look in the mirror and say that with a straight (no pun intended) face. It exists in the White House and in the heart of our President. You want to “…turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists” then start with your own policy of separate but equal. This proclamation means nothing coming from a hypocrite.
Everyone’s giving him a hard time because he’s not a super hard-core gay rights activist. He DOES have to represent the entire United States, full of its many ignorant, stupid, homophobic people. I think this is a gigantic victory. I can’t tell you how many fundi christian people will think Obama’s statements are akin to saying “I the president of the U.S. do declare June to be national Cocaine snorting month and I support the equal rights and dignity of all cocaine snorters. I am proud to have appointed cokehead senators.” So ya, I think this is progress. He must really be enraging the religious right for embracing our “evil depraved ‘choice’” to be an immutable characteristic worthy of “dignity”.I know its half-a** dignity of civil union, but it’s a start.
This is so insulting … how dare he pretend like he is interested in our issues. What has he really done since he took office? He has scaled back from repealing DOMA, he has failed to take any initiative to repeal DADT, he has not fulfilled his promise to push for an inclusive ENDA, and hate crimes bills(still stalled in the Senate), and no statement of support for any of the state marriage issues. Where is the president who said that he would bring change we can believe in, where is our hope? Mr. President, you said this would be a transparent administration; well the transparency is there! You only claim to support us, so we will donate our time and money, and give you our vote. This is the sham that we have come to realize from the democratic party, at least the republicans are honest in there hatred toward us.
My goodness! I feel so…so…underwhelmed!
Will he be posing for any photo ops too?
That’s nice… Now that the economy is picking back up and you’re getting all those big things under control, how about getting rid of DOMA and DADT?
I almost cried when I read this.
Barack Obama has just won me over.
Way to go Obama – lets not take the first step but follow in the footsteps of Hilary. I have tried to be patient and supportive but I am just angry at the lack of action, call to action…so my letter back to Mr. Obama ready – F*ck you!!!!!
Why does LGBT always have to be about hiv/AIDS? I wonder what way will be safe for don’t ask don’t tell to be ended so it’s safe for national security. This is a complete joke and I feel sorry for those that are fooled by it.
as an old, tired old queer i am so so tired of the words. i have enough experience to recognize when a cute straight guy is sweet talking me for something HE needs.
they think you think you are lucky when they use you. civil unions and without KY. i know when i am being used. skip the blandishments. just finish and go home.
Civil Unions? I seem to remember you supporting gay marriage not too long ago. If you truly believe in equality then you should support gay marriage. Get rid of DOMA!!!!
How funny is it that the gay community has so blindly supported Obama, and nowhere in his statement does he say that he supports same-sex marriage. Civil unions, yes. Gay marriage, no. Wonder why he’s not said to be hateful. Hypocrits.