Our Nation continues to witness a tragic spike in violence against transgender women of color. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate.įor 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. 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. 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. Hate Crimes Prevention Act broadened the definition of hate crimes to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. 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 LGBTQ+ community in America has achieved remarkable progress since Stonewall. 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. Pride is both a jubilant communal celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity.
Obama and biden running with gay pride flags full#
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. Gautam Raghavan is an Advisor in the White House Office of Public Engagement.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. Read the President’s full remarks, watch video, and learn more about the Obama Administration’s efforts to advance equality for the LGBT community. It means trying to eliminate any vestige of racial or religious discrimination and anti-Semitism wherever it happens. It means standing up for sexual - standing up against sexual violence wherever it occurs. It means fighting for equal pay for equal work. It means showing compassion for the undocumented worker who is contributing to our society and just wants a chance to come out of the shadows. And it means fighting for workers to get a decent wage. King said an “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” And that means that we’ve got to be able to set up a community that extends beyond our own particular narrow interests we’ve got to make sure that we’re reaching out to others who need our help as well.Īnd that means fighting for poor kids. In closing his remarks, the President called on the LGBT community and its allies to continue to work towards dignity, equality, and justice for all communities:ĭr.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) Jim Darby and Patrick Bova introduce President Barack Obama, with First Lady Michelle Obama, during the LGBT Pride Month reception in the East Room of the White House, June 30, 2014. I’ve asked my staff to prepare a second executive order so that federal employees - who are already protected on the basis of sexual orientation - will now formally be protected from discrimination based on gender identity as well."
I have directed my staff to prepare an executive order for my signature that prohibits discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The majority of Fortune 500 companies already have nondiscrimination policies to protect their employees because it’s the right thing to do and because many say it helps to retain and attract the best talent. With the First Lady by his side, the President spoke about the tremendous progress we have made during the course of his Administration - from repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to implementing the Affordable Care Act with important protections for LGBT people - and restated his commitment to taking executive action on behalf of LGBT workers: Yesterday, for the sixth time since taking office, President Obama joined national, state, and local community leaders, business leaders, grassroots activists, elected officials, and others for an event celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month at the White House.