[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 23 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
[Pages 1271-1272]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7316--Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, 2000

June 2, 2000

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Gay and lesbian Americans have made important and lasting 
contributions to our Nation in every field of endeavor. Too often, 
however, gays and lesbians face prejudice and discrimination; too many 
have had to hide or deny their sexual orientation in order to keep their 
jobs or to live safely in their communities.
    In recent years, we have made some progress righting these wrongs. 
Since the Stonewall uprising in New York City more than 30 years ago, 
the gay and lesbian rights movement has united gays and lesbians, their 
families and friends, and all those committed to justice and equality in 
a crusade to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices and to protect 
gays and lesbians from prejudice and persecution.
    I am proud of the part that my Administration has played to achieve 
these goals. Today, more openly gay and lesbian individuals serve in 
senior posts throughout the Federal Government than during any other 
Administration. To build on our progress, in 1998 I issued an Executive 
Order to prohibit discrimination in the Federal civilian workforce based 
on sexual orientation, and my Administration continues to fight for the 
Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would outlaw discrimination in 
the workplace based on sexual orientation.
    Yet many challenges still lie before us. As we have learned from 
recent tragedies, prejudice against gays and lesbians can still erupt 
into acts of hatred and violence. I continue to call upon the Congress 
to pass meaningful hate crimes legislation to strengthen the Department 
of Justice's ability to prosecute hate crimes committed due to the 
victim's sexual orientation.
    With each passing year the American people become more receptive to 
diversity and more open to those who are different from themselves. Our 
Nation is at last realizing that gays and lesbians must no longer be 
``strangers among friends,'' as the civil rights pioneer David Mixner 
once noted. Rather, we must finally recognize these Americans for what 
they are: our colleagues and neighbors, daughters and sons, sisters and 
brothers, friends and partners.
    This June, recognizing the joys and sorrows that the gay and lesbian 
movement has witnessed and the work that remains to be done, we observe 
Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and celebrate the progress we have made in 
creating a society more inclusive and accepting of gays and lesbians. I 
hope that in this new millennium we will continue to break down the 
walls of fear and prejudice and work to build a bridge to understanding 
and tolerance, until gays and lesbians are afforded the same rights and 
responsibilities as all Americans.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, 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 2000 
as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. I encourage all Americans to observe 
this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that 
celebrate our diversity and recognize the gay and lesbian Americans 
whose many and varied contributions have enriched our national life.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of 
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence of 
the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[[Page 1272]]

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:25 a.m., June 5, 
2000]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on June 6. 
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.