LOLZ: Obama declares June the GLBT Pride Month

[Martinus]

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
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 all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. 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 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 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.

BARACK OBAMA

No comments since I don't know whether to rejoice or consider it a cheap publicity stunt (plus acknowledging reality).

[Martinus]

Meanwhile, on Dr. Evil's Island:

June 01, 2009

Cheney Supports Marriage Equality
By Kerry Eleveld

Former vice president Dick Cheney, the man whose conservative credentials are unmatched and who presently commands more air space than any Republican on the national stage, took a vocal stand in support of marriage equality Monday while at the National Press Club for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation journalism awards.

"I think that freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney replied to a question about recent action on the issue at the state level, reports The Huffington Post. "As many of you know, one of my daughters is gay and it is something we have lived with for a long time in our family. I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. Any kind of arrangement they wish. The question of whether or not there ought to be a federal statute to protect this, I don't support. I do believe that historically the way marriage has been regulated is at the state level. It has always been a state issue and I think that is the way it ought to be handled, on a state-by-state basis. ... But I don't have any problem with that. People ought to get a shot at that."

Cheney's comments come in the wake of an Advocate.com post Friday suggesting that the vice president might weigh in on the 2010 California debate over same-sex marriage. The issue also served as one of his only points of departure with President George W. Bush during their 2004 reelection campaign.

The remarks follow revelations over the weekend from former president Bill Clinton that his position on same-sex marriage is "evolving."

[CountDeMoney]

Meanwhile, on Dr. Evil's Island:

You mean, Dr Evil's Island Lair.


And enjoy your tossed bone.  Maybe it'll shut you up for a few days.

[DisturbedPervert]

Does this mean no gays kicked out of the military for the month of June?

[jimmy olsen]

No comments since I don't know whether to rejoice or consider it a cheap publicity stunt (plus acknowledging reality).

It's the latter.

[Caliga]

It's the latter.

Of course it is.  Why does a President ever make any sort of declaration?

[Valmy]

It's the latter.

Of course it is.  Why does a President ever make any sort of declaration?

Hush you let the cynicism of Tim teach us all.

[Faeelin]

Does this mean no gays kicked out of the military for the month of June?

Don't worry, the president is working behind the scenes to repeal it. So far behind the scenes that the Pentagon isn't aware of any discussions on it, but still.

[Jos Theelen]

No comments since I don't know whether to rejoice or consider it a cheap publicity stunt (plus acknowledging reality).

What would you have done, if this was made public during GW Bush's presidency?

[Martinus]

No comments since I don't know whether to rejoice or consider it a cheap publicity stunt (plus acknowledging reality).

What would you have done, if this was made public during GW Bush's presidency?

I would stop smoking pot.

[Martinus]

And now from Hillary

Forty years ago this month, the gay rights movement began with the Stonewall riots in New York City, as gays and lesbians demanded an end to the persecution they had long endured. Now, after decades of hard work, the fight has grown into a global movement to achieve a world in which all people live free from violence and fear, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

    In honor of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and on behalf of the State Department, I extend our appreciation to the global LGBT community for its courage and determination during the past 40 years, and I offer our support for the significant work that still lies ahead.

    At the State Department and throughout the Administration, we are grateful for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in Washington and around the world. They and their families make many sacrifices to serve our nation. Their contributions are vital to our efforts to establish stability, prosperity and peace worldwide.

    Human rights are at the heart of those efforts. Gays and lesbians in many parts of the world live under constant threat of arrest, violence, even torture. The persecution of gays and lesbians is a violation of human rights and an affront to human decency, and it must end. As Secretary of State, I will advance a comprehensive human rights agenda that includes the elimination of violence and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

    Though the road to full equality for LGBT Americans is long, the example set by those fighting for equal rights in the United States gives hope to men and women around the world who yearn for a better future for themselves and their loved ones.

    This June, let us recommit ourselves to achieving a world in which all people can live in safety and freedom, no matter who they are or whom they love.

[Neil]

Of course it's a cheap publicity stunt.  What else are they supposed to do, given that gays don't actually suffer any real disabilities, but still whine and snivel en masse?