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.
