Obama Pride proclamation: All men are created equal, including LGBTs
Sun. May 31, 2015 7:00 AM by OnTopMag.com
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.
"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.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine