Presidential Documents

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


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30136 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 107 / Monday, June 7, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 2021–11973 

Filed 6–4–21; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


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