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