President Barack Obama Issues Beautiful Proclamation Declaring June LGBT Pride Month

‘Since Our Founding, America Has Advanced on an Unending Path Toward Becoming a More Perfect Union…’

President Barack Obama Tuesday afternoon issued a beautiful proclamation declaring June LGBT Pride Month. The President has issued a declaration every year of his term. His predecessor, President George W. Bush, never did. 

“Since our founding, America has advanced on an unending path toward becoming a more perfect Union,” the proclamation begins.  “This journey, led by forward-thinking individuals who have set their sights on reaching for a brighter tomorrow, has never been easy or smooth. The fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is reflected in the tireless dedication of advocates and allies who strive to forge a more inclusive society. They have spurred sweeping progress by changing hearts and minds and by demanding equal treatment — under our laws, from our courts, and in our politics,” the President’s proclamation reads.

Borrowing a phrase from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he adds, “we recognize all they have done to bring us to this point, and we recommit to bending the arc of our Nation toward justice.”

Pointing to the historic 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell, President Obama noted it is “ensuring dignity for same-sex couples and greater equality across State lines. For every partnership that was not previously recognized under the law and for every American who was denied their basic civil rights, this monumental ruling instilled newfound hope, affirming the belief that we are all more free when we are treated as equals.”

He also reiterated his stance against harmful conversion therapy.

“LGBT individuals deserve to know their country stands beside them. That is why my Administration is striving to better understand the needs of LGBT adults and to provide affordable, welcoming, and supportive housing to aging LGBT Americans. It is also why we oppose subjecting minors to the harmful practice of conversion therapy, and why we are continuing to promote equality and foster safe and supportive learning environments for all students. We remain committed to addressing health disparities in the LGBT community — gay and bisexual men and transgender women of color are at a particularly high risk for HIV, and we have worked to strengthen our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce new infections, increase access to care, and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV.”

And he pointed to his 2014 executive orders that ban discrimination against LGBT people by federal contractors, which could be gutted if he signs the current House version of the National Defense Authorization Act.

“Despite the extraordinary progress of the past few years, LGBT Americans still face discrimination simply for being who they are. I signed an Executive Order in 2014 that prohibits discrimination against Federal employees and contractors on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. I urge the Congress to enact legislation that builds upon the progress we have made, because no one should live in fear of losing their job simply because of who they are or who they love. And our commitment to combatting discrimination against the LGBT community does not stop at our borders: Advancing the fair treatment of all people has long been a cornerstone of American diplomacy, and we have made defending and promoting the human rights of LGBT individuals a priority in our engagement across the globe. In line with America’s commitment to the notion that all people should be treated fairly and with respect, champions of this cause at home and abroad are upholding the simple truth that LGBT rights are human rights.”

Calling on “the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people,” President Obama concludes, “by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2016 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.” 

 

Image by IIP Photo Archive via Flickr and a CC license