President Barack Obama on Friday
officially declared June gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride
month. Obama made a similar declaration last year.
The president used the opportunity to
cheer on lawmakers as they inched closer to repealing “Don't Ask,
Don't Tell,” the law that forbids gay troops from revealing their
sexuality.
“Our military is made up of the best
and bravest men and women in our nation,” Obama said in a
statement, “and my greatest honor is leading them as
Commander-in-Chief. This legislation will help make our Armed Forces
even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers
to serve honestly and with integrity.”
The statement also highlighted some of
the gay rights initiatives advanced in the Obama administration.
“My administration has advanced our
journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr.,
Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens federal protections
against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We
renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life saving medical
services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally
eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a presidential
memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds
to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in
their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other
than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical
decisions.”
Adding that “our Nation draws its
strength from our diversity,” Obama called upon Americans to
“observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in
their own lives and everywhere it exits.”