Attorney General Eric Holder, Wisconsin
Senator Tammy Baldwin and singer Melissa Etheridge were among the
speakers at a Department of Justice event on Tuesday marking Gay
Pride month.
The program, which took place in The
Great Hall of the RFK Main Justice Building in Washington, D.C., was
themed “Celebrating a Year of Firsts.”
In his remarks, Holder touted the
agency's accomplishments.
“Under the landmark Matthew Shepard
and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act – which President
Obama signed into law in 2009 – we've strengthened our ability to
hold accountable those who commit acts of violence that are motivated
by someone's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or disability – and to achieve justice on behalf of all
who are victimized simply because of who they are, or who they love.
Over the last two fiscal years alone, we've convicted the most
defendants on hate crimes charges in more than a decade. Beyond this
work – as part of an Administration-wide commitment to stopping
harassment, bullying, and abusive behavior – we have partnered with
a variety of agencies, including the Department of Education, to
forge new alliances between educators, school administrators, and
anti-bullying advocates. We're drawing on the knowledge of experts
as well as law enforcement professionals in seeking to promote
healthy educational environments. And we're leading by example in
this regard, by working to create an open and welcoming environment
right here at the Department.”
“Through the internal Diversity
Management Initiative I launched in 2010, the Department is working
to recruit, hire, develop, retain, and support a workforce that
reflects the rich diversity of the nation we're privileged to serve.
We're expanding programs for promoting fairness, equality, and
opportunity for every member of the DOJ family, which today includes
an increasing number of openly gay and lesbian U.S. Attorneys, senior
Department leaders, U.S. Marshals, and career employees.”
“As many of you know, two years ago,
I approved and expanded the Department's Equal Employment Opportunity
Policy to include – for the first time – explicit protections
against gender identity-based discrimination. And this morning, I'm
pleased to report that – earlier this year – I approved the
establishment of a formal LGBT 'Special Emphasis Program' that will
help us take these efforts to a new level – by helping to provide
the opportunities, and instill the respect, that every public servant
needs to develop, to grow, and to thrive – both personally and
professionally.”
Holder also noted two cases related to
gay marriage currently before the Supreme Court, saying that “we
must recommit ourselves to the work that – however the cases are
decided – will remain undone.”