Barack Obama,
the most pro-LGBTI president in US history, kicked off Pride Month a bit early
on Tuesday (31 May) with his final proclamation marking the occasion.
Obama paid
tribute to the activists who have led the fight for equality and made historic
gains such a same-sex marriage which became legal across the US last June.
He states:
‘This journey, led by forward-thinking individuals who have set their sights on
reaching for a brighter tomorrow, has never been easy or smooth. The fight for
dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people
is reflected in the tireless dedication of advocates and allies who strive to
forge a more inclusive society.
‘They have
spurred sweeping progress by changing hearts and minds and by demanding equal
treatment — under our laws, from our courts, and in our politics.
‘This month, we
recognize all they have done to bring us to this point, and we recommit to
bending the arc of our Nation toward justice.’
Obama is the
first sitting US president to personally come out publicly in support of
same-sex marriage and in 2014 signed an Executive Order in that prohibits
discrimination against Federal employees and contractors on the basis of sexual
orientation or gender identity.
This year his
administration has stepped up on the issues of conversion therapy for minors,
equal rights for transgender individuals and workplace protections for LGBTI
people.
‘There remains
much work to do to extend the promise of our country to every American, but
because of the acts of courage of the millions who came out and spoke out to
demand justice and of those who quietly toiled and pushed for progress, our
Nation has made great strides in recognizing what these brave individuals long
knew to be true in their hearts — that love is love and that no person should
be judged by anything but the content of their character.’
Obama also
states in the proclamation: ‘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.’
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