Presidential Proclamations: June is . . . .

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, Great Outdoors Month, National Oceans Month, Caribbean-American Heritage Month, and African-American Music Appreciation Month.  

As for LGBT Pride month, Obama’s proclamation touts his Administration's accomplishments including passage of the Matthew Shepard act to include hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation,  renewal of the Ryan White CARE Act, and signing a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds regarding LGBT patients and their choice of visitors and decisionmakers.  Obama also states he is working toward “repeal the Defense of Marriage Act,” protecting “the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits.”  He also states, “I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.”

In addition to LGBT Pride Month, it is also Great Outdoors Month.  Obama's proclamation notes it is an  innovation to “reconnect Americans with our great outdoors,” and is linked  to “Let’s Move,” the First Lady’s effort to help “ children eat more nutritious foods, lead healthier lives, and increase their physical activity.”   

In the National Oceans Month proclamation, Obama acknowledges the BP disaster:  the “annual observance falls at a time of environmental crisis, as we continue our relentless efforts to stop and contain the oil spill threatening the Gulf Coast region.  The oil spill has already caused substantial damage to our coastline and its natural habitats, and negatively impacted the livelihoods of Gulf Coast small businesses and communities.  The environmental and economic devastation to the Gulf Coast region requires our continuing efforts to reverse the damage to our coastlines and revitalize affected areas.”

The Caribbean-American Heritage Month proclamation acknowledges the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and in the African-American music proclamation, Obama rhapsodizes about the “soulful strains of gospel, the harmonic and improvisational innovations of jazz, the simple truth of the blues, the rhythms of rock and roll, and the urban themes of hip-hop.”

RR