[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 106 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26929-26930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13281]
[[Page 26927]]
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Part II
The President
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Proclamation 8387--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month,
2009
Proclamation 8388--Great Outdoors Month, 2009
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 106 / Thursday, June 4, 2009 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 26929]]
Proclamation 8387 of 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 both the arts and business
communities, and in all industries. 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 global 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
[[Page 26930]]
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.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. E9-13281
Filed 6-3-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P