[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 31825-31826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13747]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 106 / Wednesday, June 3, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 31825]]


                Proclamation 9290 of May 29, 2015

                
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride 
                Month, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                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. 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.

                Across our Nation, tremendous progress has been won by 
                determined individuals who stood up, spoke out, and 
                shared their stories. Earlier this year, because of my 
                landmark Executive Order on LGBT workplace 
                discrimination, protections for Federal contractors 
                went into effect, guarding against discrimination based 
                on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Federal 
                Government is now leading by example, ensuring that our 
                employees and contractors are judged by the quality of 
                their work, not by who they love. And I will keep 
                calling on the Congress to pass legislation so that all 
                Americans are covered by these protections, no matter 
                where they work.

                In communities throughout the country, barriers that 
                limit the potential of LGBT Americans have been torn 
                down, but too many individuals continue to encounter 
                discrimination and unfair treatment. My Administration 
                supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy 
                for minors because the overwhelming scientific evidence 
                demonstrates that it can cause substantial harm. We 
                understand the unique challenges faced by sexual and 
                gender minorities--especially transgender and gender 
                non-conforming individuals--and are taking steps to 
                address them. And we recognize that families come in 
                many shapes and sizes. Whether biological, foster, or 
                adoptive, family acceptance is an important protective 
                factor against suicide and harm for LGBTQ youth, and 
                mental health experts have created resources to support 
                family communication and involvement.

                For countless young people, it is not enough to simply 
                say it gets better; we must take action too. We 
                continue to address bullying and harassment in our 
                classrooms, ensuring every student has a nurturing 
                environment in which to learn and grow. Across the 
                Federal Government, we are working every day to unlock 
                the opportunities all LGBT individuals deserve and the 
                resources and care they need. Too many LGBTQ youth face 
                homelessness and too many older individuals struggle to 
                find welcoming and affordable housing; that is why my 
                Administration is striving to ensure they have equal 
                access to safe and supportive housing throughout life. 
                We are updating our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to 
                better address the disproportionate burden HIV has on 
                communities of gay and bisexual men and transgender 
                women. We continue to extend family and spousal 
                benefits to legally married same-sex couples. And 
                because we know LGBT rights are human rights, we

[[Page 31826]]

                are championing protections and support for LGBT 
                persons around the world.

                All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, 
                free from fear and violence, and protected against 
                discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or 
                sexual orientation. 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.

                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 2015 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 
                twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-13747
Filed 6-2-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5