BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A
PROCLAMATION Gay
and lesbian Americans have made important and lasting contributions to our
Nation in every field of endeavor. Too often, however, gays and lesbians face
prejudice and discrimina-tion; too many have had to hide or deny their sexual
orientation in order to keep their jobs or to live safely in their communities.
In
recent years, we have made some progress righting these wrongs. Since the
Stonewall uprising in New York City more than 30 years ago, the gay and lesbian
rights movement has united gays and lesbians, their families and friends, and
all those committed to justice and equality in a crusade to outlaw
discriminatory laws and practices and to protect gays and lesbians from
prejudice and persecution. I
am proud of the part that my Administration has played to achieve these goals.
Today, more openly gay and lesbian individuals serve in senior posts throughout
the Federal Government than during any other Administration. To build on our
progress, in 1998 I issued an Executive Order to prohibit discrimination in the
Federal civilian workforce based on sexual orientation, and my Administration
continues to fight for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would
outlaw discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation. Yet
many challenges still lie before us. As we have learned from recent tragedies,
prejudice against gays and lesbians can still erupt into acts of hatred and
violence. I continue to call upon the Congress to pass meaningful hate crimes
legislation to strengthen the Department of Justice's ability to prosecute hate
crimes committed due to the victim’s sexual orientation. With
each passing year the American people become more receptive to diversity and
more open to those who are different from themselves. Our Nation is at last
realizing that gays and lesbians must no longer be "strangers among
friends," as the civil rights pioneer David Mixner once noted. Rather, we must
finally recognize these Americans for what they are: our colleagues and
neighbors, daughters and sons, sisters and brothers, friends and partners. This
June, recognizing the joys and sorrows that the gay and lesbian movement has
witnessed and the work that remains to be done, we observe Gay and Lesbian
Pride Month and celebrate the progress we have made in creating a society more
inclusive and accepting of gays and lesbians. I hope that in this new
millennium we will continue to break down the walls of fear and prejudice and
work to build a bridge to understanding and tolerance, until gays and lesbians
are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans. NOW,
THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 2000 as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. I
encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities that celebrate our diversity and recognize the gay
and lesbian Americans whose many and varied contributions have enriched our
national life. IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of June, in the
year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. WILLIAM
J. CLINTON |
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