10 June 2009

[Federal Register: June 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 110)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 27675-27678]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10jn09-101]                         


[[Page 27675]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part IV





The President





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Proclamation 8387--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 
2009 (Republication With Correction)


                        Presidential Documents 




___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 27677]]

                Proclamation 8387

 
                Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Pride 
                Month, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

[Editorial Note: Proclamation 8387, originally published on pages 26927-
26930 in the Federal Register of Thursday, June 4, 2009, is being reprinted 
with a White House correction.]

                 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

[[Page 27678]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-13819
Filed 6-9-09; 11:15 am]

Billing code 3195-W9-P