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Obama Declares June LGBT Month


BARACK OBAMA 20100415 X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

The complete statement reads:

As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.

LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us, the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.

My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.

In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation's promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

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Reader Comments
  • Name: John Whittle
    Date posted: 8/20/2010 7:49:31 AM
    Hometown: Ammanford West Wales. UK

    Comment:

    Now let me get this straight. This Obama fella has declaired himself to be a Christian....and a Muslim..... He is so mixed up in his tiny brain that he's not really sure what he is. Either way, by supporting and promoting the LGBT squad, Obama is in breach of his faiths' principles - whichever one he decides to go along with - and has violated them to the extent of exposing himself as a liar, a traitor, a deceiver and a double minded pathetic failure who is unstable in hie mind, and a con merchant to the gullible. It seems that he is a Muslim when it comes to pleasing Muslims, then switches over to being a 'christian' when he wants to please real Christians. Obama is clearly a believer, sadly, he's a make beleiver. No wonder people are confused. If it's true that he is a so-called christian, then he has failed miserably in his witness to the whole world. Why is this? Because the Bible states categorically that homosexuality is the result of lustful vile affections. Gay and lesbian activities are clearly mentioned in scripture as being sin. Of course, sin is sin, regardless of whether it's a suxual sin or that of a thief, a murderer, a blasphemer, a drunkard, a foul mouth, etc; etc; Who says so? God says so. This being the case, Obama may as well declair a month of celebrations to support the work of car thieves and burglars. Wife beaters could also be given a month of recognition, with certificates of merit thrown in as a bonus. None of this has anything to do with the 'in word' being used for those who oppose the behaviour of LGBT members. The word homophobic has been introduced to slander all those who uphold the truth...as Obama should really be doing. However, he is too weak and, as I say, double-minded to back down on his filthy protocols. The man is a mouse, a puppet on a string who loves to please people to gain an alleigance in his favour. What a sly guy he is. Haven't the yanks learned anything from his election scams. Don't they realise he told over 50 lies to get into office. (It's all documented you know). He is clever and sly, obnoxious and deceitfull, but the yanks will love him and continue to put him on a pedestal because sin promotes sin and people love to wallow in sin. As a 'christian' Obama has disgraced himself and made a complete mockery out of his so-called faith. He acts more like a pagan, but one thing is certain; God, the Almighty Supreme God, will not be mocked by the likes of Obama and his cronies. The fierce anger of God will come upon him. Who said so? God said so. The President of America is a fool. In his election speach he proudly announced in his smart Superman outfit that he was not born in a manger, but sent from the planet KRYPTON TO SAVE THE WORLD. And the stupid crowd cheered and applauded this great pretender. What a fool he's turned out to be. Obamas' CV should be just about right to get him a job collecting garbage. You, the citizens of the USA have been conned by this twit who has blinded the minds of America with his smooth talk and deceiving smile. When will people ever learn. His witness as a Christian stinks. His witness as a Muslim stinks. His witness as a President stinks, but will anyone care? I doubt it very much. You will all supper the consequences of this man who takes great pride in usurping the Supreme Authority of Almighty God. And that, is a serious offence. The best he can do now is repent and get himself right with the nation, the people of America who he has swindled, and with God.

  • Name: tracy
    Date posted: 6/9/2010 3:32:47 PM
    Hometown: alabama

    Comment:

    What is next month, FORNICATION PRIDE MONTH?

  • Name: Katie
    Date posted: 6/7/2010 6:14:24 PM
    Hometown: CA

    Comment:

    when reading this article i was happy that we are coming one step closer to equal rights for everyone no matter whar they believe, who they love, or the color of their skin. I believe that we are the land of the free but the free should have a * becasue free is for those who fall under society's norms. Our United States government has a sepration of church and sate and when you take religon out of the picture what else is there to argue about ? personaly this should be a personal matter and one that no one should have a say so in. They are not breaking the rules, nor are they infinging on anyone elses rights. A history teacher once told me that a persons rights begin where the other one ends. as along as they are not hurting you why must other people care. Be kind to your neighboors, treat other the way you would be like to be treated, divorce is a sin-we hear these things and are thought these things ion school. If all that is true then lets put them into pratice starting now.

  • Name: jillian O'Brien
    Date posted: 6/7/2010 12:38:57 PM
    Hometown: cleveland

    Comment:

    nice try. animals are not given the same rights, respect, acknowledgements and place as humans for the fact that they are not humans. our society governs humans, all of them, and so each must maintain the same inalienable rights as the other. this is the basis of american society.

  • Name: sjuan
    Date posted: 6/6/2010 11:48:36 AM
    Hometown: GA

    Comment:

    Well the world is going to hell but i am not going with it. This is sad, can we re-elect Bush please. There is a difference in Black history and this other crap. First Black history is about public life and discrimination in the public places and civil rights in the public sector. I do not care what people do in their private lives but my children don't need to see the crap. And those people that do these things as well as the people that stand up for them are going have their day on judgement day. SO i can only say to them God forgive them for they no not what they do.

  • Name: mario kery
    Date posted: 6/5/2010 9:53:48 PM
    Hometown: melboure australia

    Comment:

    What an inspiration,here we have a man comfortable to aknowledge all individuals no matter who they are, an evolved mind leading our species to enlightment without god or fear or loathing and gay people all over the world will one day walk free of condemnation or persecution and the cowards and bullies who ridicule us,will fade away into oblivion.

  • Name: Chris
    Date posted: 6/4/2010 11:38:33 PM
    Hometown: Chuster

    Comment:

    LGBTA, I would like it to be. A is for Animal. I honestly am in love with a dolphin. I believe My partner and I should be allowed equal rights. You cannot enclose love within the boundaries of just humans, nor should you enclose rights with in the boundaries of just humans. LGBTA

  • Name: Dawn
    Date posted: 6/3/2010 1:29:51 AM
    Hometown: Gaston County NC

    Comment:

    Because Bush the W did away with it... so thankfully Obama is reinstating what never should have left.

  • Name: Jerry Hutton
    Date posted: 6/2/2010 1:46:17 PM
    Hometown: Harpers Ferry, WV

    Comment:

    While President Clinton was the first President to proclaim June Gay and Lesbian Month, this practice was abandoned by President Bush. Just as we mark Black Pride, it is important to recognize and honor the achievements and progress of GLBT Americans. By issuing this Proclamation, the President authorizes educational programs and ceremonies in federal agencies to mark the occasion, which were often barred under President Bush because there was no Proclamation authorizing them. We should thank President Obama for reviving this tradition and honoring our people. While he has been sometimes slow to advance our GLBT rights, his support of DADT and extending long term care insurance to GLBT couples are welcome and new measures toward our equal rights.

  • Name: Chuck Lamont
    Date posted: 6/2/2010 8:40:46 AM
    Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL

    Comment:

    Enough of the non-productive rhetoric! , it is a HUGE deal when a sitting President of the USA issues a proclamation. Now is the time to get back to action. Instead of screaming about what we are not being "given" lets write more letters, march in more parades, demand equality. Those who remember the days before Stonewall remember when people of the same sex were forbidden by LAW to dance together in our own bars. We picketed the bars until the bar owners felt the pinch and complained to City Commissions to change things. The year after Stonewall, less than 50 people marched in the first Gay Pride Parade in Chicago. We need to ask ourselves what we, personally, have done to bring about change. Have we written every letter possible? Have we asked every politician running for office every pointed question? Have we petitioned for our human rights and civil liberties in every possible forum? Stop arguing about things that don't matter and GET TO WORK!

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