Presidential Documents

26929 

Federal Register 

Vol. 74, No. 106 

Thursday, June 4, 2009 

Title 3— 

The President 

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 

26930 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 106 / Thursday, June 4, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. E9–13281 

Filed 6–3–09; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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