"I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 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 a proclamation released by the White House on Monday, US President Barack Obama has called on "Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
His nominating June 2009 as LGBT Pride Month comes as New York City prepares to mark the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a turning point in the battle for LGBT equality.
"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," writes Obama. "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."
Obama says he continues to support measures "to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans," including "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."
