[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 107 (Monday, June 7, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 30135-30136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11973]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 107 / Monday, June 7, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 30135]]


                Proclamation 10222 of June 1, 2021

                
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer 
                Pride Month, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June, 1969, 
                sparked a liberation movement--a call to action that 
                continues to inspire us to live up to our Nation's 
                promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all. 
                Pride is a time to recall the trials the Lesbian, Gay, 
                Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has 
                endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing 
                individuals who have bravely fought--and continue to 
                fight--for full equality. Pride is both a jubilant 
                communal celebration of visibility and a personal 
                celebration of self-worth and dignity. This Pride 
                Month, we recognize the valuable contributions of 
                LGBTQ+ individuals across America, and we reaffirm our 
                commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ 
                Americans in their ongoing struggle against 
                discrimination and injustice.

                The LGBTQ+ community in America has achieved remarkable 
                progress since Stonewall. Historic Supreme Court 
                rulings in recent years have struck down regressive 
                laws, affirmed the right to marriage equality, and 
                secured workplace protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in 
                every State and Territory. The Matthew Shepard and 
                James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act broadened 
                the definition of hate crimes to include crimes 
                motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. 
                Members of the LGBTQ+ community now serve in nearly 
                every level of public office--in city halls and State 
                capitals, Governors' mansions and the halls of the 
                Congress, and throughout my Administration. Nearly 14 
                percent of my 1,500 agency appointees identify as 
                LGBTQ+, and I am particularly honored by the service of 
                Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first 
                openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Cabinet, and 
                Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, the first 
                openly transgender person to be confirmed by the 
                Senate.

                For all of our progress, there are many States in which 
                LGBTQ+ individuals still lack protections for 
                fundamental rights and dignity in hospitals, schools, 
                public accommodations, and other spaces. Our Nation 
                continues to witness a tragic spike in violence against 
                transgender women of color. LGBTQ+ individuals--
                especially youth who defy sex or gender norms--face 
                bullying and harassment in educational settings and are 
                at a disproportionate risk of self-harm and death by 
                suicide. Some States have chosen to actively target 
                transgender youth through discriminatory bills that 
                defy our Nation's values of inclusivity and freedom for 
                all.

                Our Nation also continues to face tragic levels of 
                violence against transgender people, especially 
                transgender women of color. And we are still haunted by 
                tragedies such as the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 
                Orlando. Ending violence and discrimination against the 
                LGBTQ+ community demands our continued focus and 
                diligence. As President, I am committed to defending 
                the rights of all LGBTQ+ individuals.

                My Administration is taking historic actions to finally 
                deliver full equality for LGBTQ+ families. On my first 
                day in office, I signed an Executive Order charging 
                Federal agencies to fully enforce all Federal laws that 
                prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity 
                or sexual orientation. As a result, the Federal 
                Government has taken steps to prevent discrimination

[[Page 30136]]

                against LGBTQ+ people in employment, health care, 
                housing, lending, and education. I also signed an 
                Executive Order affirming all qualified Americans will 
                be able to serve in the Armed Forces of the United 
                States--including patriotic transgender Americans who 
                can once again proudly and openly serve their Nation in 
                uniform--and a National Security Memorandum that 
                commits to supporting LGBTQ+ Federal employees serving 
                overseas. My Administration is also working to promote 
                and protect LGBTQ+ human rights abroad. LGBTQ+ rights 
                are human rights, which is why my Administration has 
                reaffirmed America's commitment to supporting those on 
                the front lines of the equality and democracy movements 
                around the world, often at great risk. We see you, we 
                support you, and we are inspired by your courage to 
                accept nothing less than full equality.

                While I am proud of the progress my Administration has 
                made in advancing protections for the LGBTQ+ community, 
                I will not rest until full equality for LGBTQ+ 
                Americans is finally achieved and codified into law. 
                That is why I continue to call on the Congress to pass 
                the Equality Act, which will ensure civil rights 
                protections for LGBTQ+ people and families across our 
                country. And that is why we must recognize emerging 
                challenges, like the fact that many LGBTQ+ seniors, who 
                faced discrimination and oppression throughout their 
                lives, are isolated and need support and elder care.

                During LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we recognize the resilience 
                and determination of the many individuals who are 
                fighting to live freely and authentically. In doing so, 
                they are opening hearts and minds, and laying the 
                foundation for a more just and equitable America. This 
                Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the 
                dignity of all people, and dedicate ourselves to 
                protecting the most vulnerable among us.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 2021 as 
                Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride 
                Month. I call upon the people of the United States to 
                recognize the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, to 
                celebrate the great diversity of the American people, 
                and to wave their flags of pride high.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-11973
Filed 6-4-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P