Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride month, 2009

[Reason]

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. 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

[dannno]

....but they're still just like pedophiles and incest committors

YouTube - Rachel Maddow-Obama Administration Supports Anti-gay DOMA

[Theocrat]

Where do LGBTs get the right to be LGBT? Thank you, Mr. President, for forcing everyone to accept LGBT as a moral right, even if it contradicts their religion and conscience. I hope people wake up and realize what our federal government has become--a usurper of God (humanist). It is no longer God we look to as the basis for rights; now we look to our federal government.

[dannno]

Where do LGBTs get the right to be LGBT? Thank you, Mr. President, for forcing everyone to accept LGBT as a moral right, even if it contradicts their religion and conscience. I hope people wake up and realize what our federal government has become--a usurper of God (humanist). It is no longer God we look to as the basis for rights; now we look to our federal government.

I was reading the manuscript from Ahmadinijad's speech in Chicago from a while back. Interesting stuff. One thing he mentioned, when asked about LGBT rights in Iran, was that they "don't have that problem" in Iran, in other words, they don't have LGBT people?

I have a hard time believing that one, but I'd be interested in a more detailed response from him on that. Since I don't think I'll ever see one, maybe you could comment on what you think he's referring to, and how realistic you think that statement is.

I wonder if it really is something they're "putting in our water", so to speak.

[Theocrat]

I was reading the manuscript from Ahmadinijad's speech in Chicago from a while back. Interesting stuff. One thing he mentioned, when asked about LGBT rights in Iran, was that they "don't have that problem" in Iran, in other words, they don't have LGBT people?

I have a hard time believing that one, but I'd be interested in a more detailed response from him on that. Since I don't think I'll ever see one, maybe you could comment on what you think he's referring to, and how realistic you think that statement is.

I wonder if it really is something they're "putting in our water", so to speak.

Maybe that is the case because Iran has laws forbidding LGBT relationships. That is the only thing I can think of which would lead me to believe Ahmadinijad is correct about there being no LGBTs in his country.

[TonySutton]

Maybe that is the case because Iran has laws forbidding LGBT relationships. That is the only thing I can think of which would lead me to believe Ahmadinijad is correct about there being no LGBTs in his country.

To talk about LGBT and Iran, first you need to separate the letters. Transsexuals have been recognized in Iran for over 20 years and are allowed (encouraged) to get sex reassignment surgery.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/20...ex-change.html

LGB persons risk death if they are discovered. Ahmadinijad's statement about gays is because he does not recognize them. They must remain hidden out of site or risk death. This does not mean they do not exist. It just means they remain very well hidden, like the early Christians.

[heavenlyboy34]

Where do LGBTs get the right to be LGBT? Thank you, Mr. President, for forcing everyone to accept LGBT as a moral right, even if it contradicts their religion and conscience. I hope people wake up and realize what our federal government has become--a usurper of God (humanist). It is no longer God we look to as the basis for rights; now we look to our federal government.

I do too. I hope you realize that as well one day.

[fisharmor]

Twenty-five years later we're still referring to the AIDS epidemic?

The AIDS epidemic must be hidden in a huge drawer somewhere along with the pile of dead babies that caused carseat laws, the dry sea beds that brought us low-flow toilets, and Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.

[zach]

To talk about LGBT and Iran, first you need to separate the letters. Transsexuals have been recognized in Iran for over 20 years and are allowed (encouraged) to get sex reassignment surgery.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/20...ex-change.html

LGB persons risk death if they are discovered. Ahmadinijad's statement about gays is because he does not recognize them. They must remain hidden out of site or risk death. This does not mean they do not exist. It just means they remain very well hidden, like the early Christians.

Out of sight, out of mind. Ignore the people and call them "issues."

At least here, people are free to express themselves even if it deviates from the social norm.

[Freedom 4 all]

To talk about LGBT and Iran, first you need to separate the letters. Transsexuals have been recognized in Iran for over 20 years and are allowed (encouraged) to get sex reassignment surgery.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/20...ex-change.html
.

Wow that is truly awesomely stupid. Teh Ghey is scary to them so their solution involves making it so that gays can seduce unsuspecting straight dudes as "women." I'm not overly homophobic but it would suck to know that the chick you are with may at one time have been a dude.

[swirling_vortex]

How many pride months do we have? Last time I checked there were only 12 months in a year.