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"This Pride Month we will be focused on protecting, uplifting, and supporting LGBTQI+ children and families," says a White House statement.
President Joe Biden and his administration are ready to celebrate Pride Month.
The White House released a statement Wednesday morning for the opening of Pride Month, noting steps the administration has taken and will continue to take for the LGBTQ+ community, especially children and families. Biden also issued a proclamation for Pride Month.
These steps include speaking out against the many anti-LGBTQ+ bills in state legislatures, a White House spokesperson said. The past few years have seen an onslaught of these bills, such as "don't say gay or trans" bills, transgender-exclusionary sports legislation, and efforts to deny gender-affirming health care to trans youth.
Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Cabinet agencies will keep pushing for the Equality Act, which would place a nationwide ban on anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other aspects of life, according to the spokesperson. The U.S. House has approved the legislation, but it is stalled in the Senate.
The statement also notes that Pride flags will be flown at Cabinet agencies and U.S. embassies around the world, a marked difference from the previous administration, which limited their display.
The full statement follows:
This Pride Month, the Administration will be focused on spotlighting the voice of LGBTQI+ people across America, especially our LGBTQI+ children and families.
The President had made clear that the proliferation of hateful and discriminatory bills are simply legislation disguised as bullying.
These bills are targeting kids in classrooms and families in their homes, which is why this Pride Month we will be focused on protecting, uplifting, and supporting LGBTQI+ children and families.
You can expect to see:
* The President, Vice President, White House, and Cabinet reiterating calls on Congress to pass the Equality Act, and championing full freedom and equality for LGBTQI+ people at home and around the world.
* Agencies across the federal government and U.S. embassies around the world will raise Pride flags to celebrate our commitment to equality.
* Cabinet Members meeting with LGBTQI+ families and community members.
* The White House laser-focused on fighting back against the onslaught of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation we're seeing in the states and spotlighting the importance of celebrating all families.
President Biden has always been a champion for families - and that includes LGBTQI+ families. We are proud of the historic progress this Administration has taken to ensure everyone -- no matter who they are or whom they love -- has an equal place in our country, and we are excited to keep building on those actions this Pride Month and beyond.
And here is the text of the proclamation:
During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Pride Month, we reflect on the progress we have made as a Nation in the fight for justice, inclusion, and equality while reaffirming our commitment to do more to support LGBTQI+ rights at home and abroad. I often say that America can be defined by one word: possibilities. This month, we celebrate generations of LGBTQI+ people who have fought to make the possibilities of our Nation real for every American.
Today, the rights of LGBTQI+ Americans are under relentless attack. Members of the LGBTQI+ community -- especially people of color and trans people -- continue to face discrimination and cruel, persistent efforts to undermine their human rights. An onslaught of dangerous anti-LGBTQI+ legislation has been introduced and passed in States across the country, targeting transgender children and their parents and interfering with their access to health care. These unconscionable attacks have left countless LGBTQI+ families in fear and pain. All of this compounded has been especially difficult on LGBTQI+ youth, 45 percent of whom seriously considered attempting suicide in the last year -- a devastating reality that our Nation must work urgently to address.
This month, we remind the LGBTQI+ community that they are loved and cherished. My Administration sees you for who you are -- deserving of dignity, respect, and support. As I said in my State of the Union Address -- especially to our younger transgender Americans -- I will always have your back as your President so that you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential. Today and every day, my Administration stands with every LGBTQI+ American in the ongoing struggle against intolerance, discrimination, and injustice. We condemn the dangerous State laws and bills that target LGBTQI+ youth. And we remain steadfast in our commitment to helping LGBTQI+ people in America and around the world live free from violence.
Since my first day in office, I have taken historic action to ensure that everyone -- no matter who they are or whom they love -- has an equal place in our democracy. I signed a landmark Executive Order charging the Federal Government with preventing and combating discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This includes non-discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ Americans in housing, health care, education, employment, credit and lending services, and the criminal justice system. My Administration has expanded access to inclusive passports for transgender Americans and instituted reforms to the traveler screening process at United States airports. We are supporting the open service for patriotic transgender military members and providing better services for LGBTQI+ veterans. I am honored by the service of the first openly gay Cabinet Secretary and the first transgender person confirmed by the Senate and to have been able to establish the first White House Gender Policy Council.
But there is more work to be done. That is why I continue to call on the Congress to pass the Equality Act, which will enshrine long overdue civil rights protections and build a better future for all LGBTQI+ Americans. We must also fight for LGBTQI+ seniors so that they can age with dignity. And we must confront the disproportionate levels of poverty, homelessness, and unemployment in the LGBTQI+ community.
This month, we honor the resilience of LGBTQI+ people, who are fighting to live authentically and freely. We reaffirm our belief that LGBTQI+ rights are human rights. And we recommit to delivering protections, safety, and equality to LGBTQI+ families so that everyone can realize the full promise of America.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2022 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQI+ community, to celebrate the great diversity of the American people, and to wave their flags of pride high.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.
