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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyJune 1st, 2009
As far as I know, this is a first for a sitting president to acknowledge Pride month. (If I’m wrong, please correct me in the comments. Update: Commenter Ron points us to Clinton in 2000 and 1999.) This month is particularly significant as it comes on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, which is generally regarded as the start of the modern gay rights movement as a political movement.
In this proclamation, President Barack Obama touts his support for the U.N.’s call to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. He also reiterates his campaign promises — repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, support for civil unions and recognition of same sex couples, ending employment discrimination, increase support for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention — although he again ducks his previous commitment to repealing DOMA. It’s as if he wanted us to forget he ever promised to repeal it.
Update: It is now 9:30 pm EST, and this proclamation is still not available anywhere on the White House web site.
From the White House:
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
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Timothy Kincaid
June 1st, 2009
Thank you Mr. President
Burr
June 1st, 2009
Nope Bill Clinton did the same during his term.
Pomo
June 1st, 2009
Commence fundamentalists squeeling about the demise of America.
gar
June 1st, 2009
This is a positive step.
Ron\'s Log
June 1st, 2009
Clinton in 2000 and 1999. I think he did in years before that too.
John
June 1st, 2009
He did say that he supports giving federal rights to gay couples, which sort of implies repealing DOMA, doesn’t it?
Scott
June 1st, 2009
Words are cheap, Mr. President. Do something.
Bret
June 1st, 2009
The Proclamation is now, finally, on the White House website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/). Barack Obama can’t have it both ways. He can’t expect the LGBT community to vote for him, then screw them over at ever opportunity! Not cool Mr. Obama!
Richard
June 2nd, 2009
That is nice, however Half-assed. Promises, made will they be broken??? Do not patronize us Mr. President.
CLS
June 2nd, 2009
Obama has always sounded good, but the carry through is almost non-existent. Of course on some issues the carry through is almost the complete opposite of the talk. He’s a typical politician, why did anyone think otherwise?
lurker
June 2nd, 2009
hm. the only way I can find that proclamation from our “best ally” is to directly past the url into the bar, or to search for the word “gay” at whitehouse.gov.
I can’t get to it anyway, anyhow by browsing the white house site.
aratina
June 2nd, 2009
lurker, it looks like you can browse your way to it by going to whitehouse.gov -> briefing room -> presidential actions -> scroll down to proclamations. Ya, they sure buried it.
lurker
June 2nd, 2009
aratina -thanks! I did find it with your help, between the proclamations for “great outdoors month” and “national hurricane preparedness week” ;)
JC
June 10th, 2009
I was looking for more info on how Barack Obama declared June national LGBT(lesbian gay bisexual transexual) month and stumbled across this really interesting campaign BooksOnBoard (www.booksonboard.com) is doing called ” Pride not Prejudice”. They are featuring (and discounting)a bunch of ebook and audio book titles having to do with LGBT pride as well as other areas of social change and acceptance. I just think it’s a really cool approach to the subject that hasn’t really been done before— especially by a more mainstream company. Plus I really like the name haha.
Check it out:
http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?F=090609_lgbt_pride_prejudice
dennis brown
July 7th, 2009
can’t wait for the “second coming”.
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