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

[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]

Presidential Documents

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.

ual

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

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 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.

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]

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