President Barack Obama on Friday issued
a proclamation recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) Pride month.
“From the moment our Nation first
came together to declare the fundamental truth that all men are
created equal, courageous and dedicated patriots have fought to
refine our founding promise and broaden democracy's reach,” he
wrote. “Over the course of more than two centuries of striving and
sacrifice, our country has expanded civil rights and enshrined equal
protections into our Constitution. Through struggle and setback, we
see a common trajectory toward a more free and just society. But we
are also reminded that we are not truly equal until every person is
afforded the same rights and opportunities – that when one of us
experiences discrimination, it affects all of us – and that our
journey is not complete until our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else
under the law.”
Obama noted some of his
administration's policies, including an executive order barring
contractors doing business with the federal government from
discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity, support for efforts to ban use of conversion therapy for
minors and “championing protections and support for LGBT persons
around the world.”
While Obama said that he recognizes
“that families come in all shapes and sizes,” he did not directly
mentioned an upcoming Supreme Court ruling that could knock down
state bans on gay marriage nationwide.
“During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT
individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those
who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to
build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country
supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as
they are,” he added.
President Bill Clinton was the first
president to recognize Gay Pride month in 1999.