Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/4670

 124 STAT. 4644 PROCLAMATION 8529—MAY 28, 2010 who came before us—the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defi- ance—we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union. My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life-saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medi- care and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and se- curity they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions. In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing pro- grams are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first-ever national study of discrimi- nation against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Serv- ices has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders. Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any mar- ried couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending ‘‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’’ so patriotic LGBT Ameri- cans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Con- gress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal. As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Na- tion, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty- eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. BARACK OBAMA