The White House on Friday issued this proclamation by President Barack Obama, declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, calling on Americans to “eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.”
This is the fourth consecutive year Obama has issued the proclamation.
Prior to Obama’s administration, President Bill Clinton was the last president to issue such a proclamation, first doing so in 1999 and then in 2000 before he left office. President George W. Bush never issued a proclamation commemorating LGBT pride.
Watch a message from Obama:
The proclamation reads:
Presidential Proclamation: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2012
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2012
By The President Of The United States Of AmericaA Proclamation
From generation to generation, ordinary Americans have led a proud and inexorable march toward freedom, fairness, and full equality under the law ‑‑ not just for some, but for all. Ours is a heritage forged by those who organized, agitated, and advocated for change; who wielded love stronger than hate and hope more powerful than insult or injury; who fought to build for themselves and their families a Nation where no one is a second-class citizen, no one is denied basic rights, and all of us are free to live and love as we see fit.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community has written a proud chapter in this fundamentally American story. From brave men and women who came out and spoke out, to union and faith leaders who rallied for equality, to activists and advocates who challenged unjust laws and marched on Washington, LGBT Americans and allies have achieved what once seemed inconceivable. This month, we reflect on their enduring legacy, celebrate the movement that has made progress possible, and recommit to securing the fullest blessings of freedom for all Americans.
Since I took office, my Administration has worked to broaden opportunity, advance equality, and level the playing field for LGBT people and communities. We have fought to secure justice for all under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and we have taken action to end housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We expanded hospital visitation rights for LGBT patients and their loved ones, and under the Affordable Care Act, we ensured that insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to someone just because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Because we understand that LGBT rights are human rights, we continue to engage with the international community in promoting and protecting the rights of LGBT persons around the world. Because we repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans can serve their country openly, honestly, and without fear of losing their jobs because of whom they love. And because we must treat others the way we want to be treated, I personally believe in marriage equality for same-sex couples.
More remains to be done to ensure every single American is treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Moving forward, my Administration will continue its work to advance the rights of LGBT Americans. This month, as we reflect on how far we have come and how far we have yet to go, let us recall that the progress we have made is built on the words and deeds of ordinary Americans. Let us pay tribute to those who came before us, and those who continue their work today; and let us rededicate ourselves to a task that is unending ‑‑ the pursuit of a Nation where all are equal, and all have the full and unfettered opportunity to pursue happiness and live openly and freely.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2012 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
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really?
Oh, wow. I’m actually legitimately speechless.
The is hope for this country
he did that last year….
I am happy beyond belief. But, save the Halo until after the next four years.
Just another action to gain support from mindless LGBT members and special interest groups… sorry, Owebummer, not falling for it this time enough. You’ve signed enough anti-American-Authoritarian bills restricting many of our Constitutional rights and our privacy… not to mention the nat’l deficit… c’mon, my fellow Americans…wake up… Rony 2012.
i <3 our pres thanks obama why can he run for four more years?
Example A ^
Yeah right, Logan Davis. He has done huge amounts of good for the entire country. Your ignorance would be cute if it wasn’t so widespread.
Let’s pray for a BETTER economy…we need him re-elected!!!
Wow. Logan. Wise words from a 12 year old.
I thought it was already?
Why not do som research, Heather? Try looking up the NDAA, H.R. 347, Enemy Expiration Act, or the 30,000 drones that will be in American skies by 2020… not to forget that Obama is a warmonger, with more innocent drone attacks then Bush… ignorance is widespread, we may have differing political viewpoints, but I am not ignorant. Stop watching MSNBC.
we do need him re elected!! He is making changes in this crazy world..also I love that June is proclaimed LGBT pride month..the same year as my wedding and the same month..super love it!! Thx Obama
Who’s “Rony”?
Jana, no need to throw personal attacks just because you have nothing else to say? C’mon, honestly, cyber-bullying is a problem and even Obama is against that!
yes! awesome Obama <3
THANK YOU President Obama. OBAMA for 4 MORE YEARS
Bush –> started the war Obama –> ended the war Bush –> couldnt find our #1 enemy Obama –> found our #1 enemy Bush –> higher unemployment rate than Obama. Why would anyone ever vote republican. EVER?
Logan Davis must not understand politics very well.. You apparently haven’t grasped the concept of what corporate america is trying to do to the small american not to mention what the republicans in the house have managed to pull off regardless of Obama’s wishes this year alone.. If you vote for Mitt you are handing over control to corporate america
June is bustin’ out all over….!
Ah, but don’t forget about Afghanistan, we’ll still be there in a decade!
you go, Mr. President! Romney if you are here listen to this: Leave LGBT people alone! Obama is the one who understands constitutional rights for LGBT people and besides, Romney if you don’t like what you are seeing, then take your Mormon ass, bible-thumping-rhetoric-speaking-in-the summertime, need to wake up out of your bed, then take your homophobic lame and bony ass home.
Logan, you have your right to an opinion just like everyone else. But why join a LGBT support group if you are going to bash it. Now THATS cyber bulling. Run along and do your math homework.
Maybe I’m stupid but… wasn’t June… already… Pride month? I love you, Obama, BUT YOU BEHIND. :P I guess this just makes it official?
what ever works
I really love him. :)
Don’t worry, Justin, I’m very aware of the ever gaining power corporate elites and banks are receiving but hey — Romney isn’t that much different from Obama — look at Obama’s top campaign contributors then look at Romney’s, you will see that many of the same banks and firms that support Romney also are on the top 10 of Obama’s… I’m not a Republican, nor a Democrat, but simply awake because this two-party system, in essence, is designed to divide the American people while the two parties power-grab.
I know WE call it pride month, and although the proclamation is largely symbolic, nevertheless it’s nice to know that the President recognizes and supports it!
Joseph, I joined this group because i’m. Gay myself. I’m not bashing this support group but putting in my political opinion; of course, it may not have been asked for but Facebook is all about sharing your thoughts.
I’m gay myself**
To Logan Davis: Do you know what kinds of people say stupid things? Stupid people. Stop talking.
You referred to the people that support Obama, in particular for making June LGBT month, as “mindless LGBT members”. I am not sure if you are TRYING to sound smart or if you are ass backwards but either way your comments are completely contradictory and uncalled for. Just because you are young and use big words doesn’t mean you know what you are talking about. Get it together before you join politics.
Mindless LGBT members… hmm, don’t consider that an insult — there are many members of the LGBT community that will see this (who are not involved politically,) and will vote for Obama solely because of this, or support him solely because of this, when they have no knowledge of acts like the NDAA (take away your right to a fair trial, your right to legal representation,), H.R. 347 (restricts our right to protest), the FAA Modernization & Reform Act of 2012 (which allows up to 30,000 drones in our skies by 2020 (the same drones that are used to intercept electronic communications and kill “terrorists” overseas))… Fortunately, I am aware of the coming police-state, and the also the secrets of the Federal Reserve — so before you go insulting me… please… wake up and do your research.
Now, I’m glad Obama is doing so much for the LGBT Community & I, but I do not think he is doing this because he believes it. I think he is doing all of this to gain more support from the left, the LGBT community and special interest groups.
Ah hello, June has always been Pride Month at least for the last ten years –Clinton was the first to officially observe it but it is based on the stonewall riot which happened in June of 1969!
I have no interest in debating with someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about. Add me and let me know when you are educated on the facts, and understand whats going on. Ignorant is not okay in this world and your mundane expressions are irrelavent, Logan.
Really? I don’t know what I am talking about when I mention several bills which Obama has signed into law, which these are leading us to a police state? Just read the context of those bills and what they mean, Joseph, instead of proclaiming that I should talk to you when I am educated on “the facts,” and, “understand whats going on.” I’m very well aware of what’s going on what and what those fools in DC are doing — Democrats are no better then Republicans. Both parties are corrupt and taking away Constitutional rights away from the American people. Just research the bills I mentioned which are now law and you will see… or keep watching your TV, thinking you KNOW what’s going on… okay — well watching the mainstream media, and not doing any independent research solely does not mean you understand what’s going on and are aware of “the facts.” So… once you are aware of what is taking place, YOU message me. Ignorance is okay in this world also, if it wasn’t, there would be no one to educate anyway. That’s offensive, what, should we just shoot all of the folks that are ignorant? What about the under-privileged Americans that have no choice but to be ignorant because of the shit that’s been dealt to them? Anyway… thanks for reading. Get back to me whenever YOU are awake. ;)
that is awesome beyond reason
And, also, Joseph, Obama is not the one that found our #1 enemy, our troops overseas did. Only give credit when credit is due. Obama sits in an office all day when he’s not going on a campaign tour around the country… or when he’s not golfing or playing basketball.
Obama has officially claimed June as LGBT Pride Mnth every years since 2009, Although, he only just recently said that he was comfortable with Homosexuality, and that was only because Biden said it first — Face it the duude only wants another 4 years so he will say just about anything right now!
yay
Logan Davis, for a child you seem extremely oddly political savvy on the rhetoric to include your writing skills. What is your mission/agenda with the comments you are making? Either your brain is functioning at a higher level or you are a new kind of troll; that is an adult wolf in “lambs” clothing. I’ve worked around many children and as a parent I’m a little suspicious of who you really are. Anyone can create a “character” on FB or the internet. Regardless, you don’t know what is in the mind of President Obama, none of us know for sure. We make our own realities.
Regardless of how June ended up becoming LGBT Pride month to include the details, it is an official recognition. This is a moment of positive celebration, not a time for suspicious critical bashing. You are right to express you feelings but there is an appropriate time and place for words and I hope you learn that through maturity. I was an activist at 12 but l had a lot of growing up to do in regards to relating effectively with people. I hope you learn that in time.
By the way I’m over half a century old, well educated, lived around the world and country, raised two boys, an Army officer veteran,…and a pragmatic progress centrist who supports and defends the human rights and civil rights of all people. As a straight woman I not only support the LGBT community and I’m not only elated with June being the LGBT pride month, but I’m a proud mother of son who was born gay and I wouldn’t want him any other way. I tell you this because much of what you have said is misguided misinformation. Not sure where you are getting your information. Remember just because something is on the internet or is spouted by cable/tv/radio stations that tout themselves as news networks, you need to check the validity and reliability. You need to dig deeper than the surface.
Bringing positive constructive enlightening dialogue to the table and finding common ground is much more effective than negativity, especially during a positive moment. Negativity is very energy draining. Namaste kid. :)
Looks to me like Logan might be the only one here who’s done his research!!! @Joseph Hanner, good luck trying to win a debate with this VERY informed 12 year old.
WOW very interesting comments. I find all of this very convenient. And I would be shocked if others didn’t agree. This is a sudden media frenzy over Obama supporting gay rights. You can’t tell me this image of him with a halo is not propaganda? Don’t get me wrong, he had my vote before the gay bandwagon, but I am not fooled with what is happening here. I just feel others should be more outraged that they are being played. But whatever, as long as we get our equal rights. . . .
Right On!
And yes, Logan seems very up to snuff on this topic. Maybe people should listen to what others have to say and not treat them as if they are an enemy. And seriously, personal attacks. That goes to show you are more childish than a “12″ year old.
He is looking better.
ROFL… we chose June to do a LGBT jewelry giveaway raffle on facebook… this is actually really cool for us :D
<3 Lovin it!!!!
Thank you mr. President! Vote for me & ill vote for you! This is just nice :) <3!
Obama ended the war on Bush’s terms, so stop acting as if Obama thought of the plot himself. Bush said he would be out by December 2011.
John crews I love your position ;)
@Logan: Just an FYI, H.R. 347 is a rewrite of the 1971 legislation, and doesn’t add any new crimes to the list. It basically updated itself to include places like the White House and other high profile areas. It can be misused, yeah, but almost everything else can. I wouldn’t really consider this bill that important.
what a great,realistic guy,I fear he wont be elected again though,3 cheers for Obama daring to put his neck on the line for our community!!
thank u mr. president for doing good for as many people as you said you would when you took office…you can’t please everyone, but folk like me who are pleased insist you continue making a difference…wonderful ;)
@Logan….rock on kid, you’re doing just fine!
Remember Stonewall!
im tired of seeing this idiot with a pride halo on his head, he is not my god, and he is not my savior, im the one that has been beaten, that has been yanked from my car by my neck and has been made fun of all his life, my happiness came from love for all those who love me back and who hate me for teh simple reason of giving me the test of tolerance, this man has done nothing
We in the Philippines have always celebrated June as Gay Pride Month several years back! The whole world must as well do, as in the USA now.
I don’t understand why everyone is bashing on Logan for having a well educated opinion. I’m with Logan, Ron Paul 2012 <3
However, just because this video is an advertising technique to get votes doesn't make any less of a nice speech. It's still lovely to hear someone in office speaking on our behalf. You don't have to vote for him just because you like his video.
Bums are yum
Raise your hand if you’ve forgotten that he has made this same declaration every year of his presidency.