[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 106 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26929-26930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13281]



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Part II





The President





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Proclamation 8387--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 
2009



Proclamation 8388--Great Outdoors Month, 2009
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 106 / Thursday, June 4, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8387 of June 1, 2009

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

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                 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 both the arts and business 
                communities, and in all industries. 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 global 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 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

[[Page 26930]]

                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. E9-13281
Filed 6-3-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P