LGBT

Good afternoon,

In this White House LGBT Update, you will learn about the Obama Administration's ongoing efforts to advance equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

To commemorate LGBT Pride Month, President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation -- his sixth since taking office -- highlighting the progress we have made and emphasizing the work that remains. In the President's words:

This month, as we mark 45 years since the patrons of the Stonewall Inn defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement, let us honor every brave leader who stood up, sat in, and came out, as well as the allies who supported them along the way. Following their example, let each of us speak for tolerance, justice, and dignity -- because if hearts and minds continue to change over time, laws will too.

Please feel free to share this news with your colleagues and networks, and please encourage them to sign up for updates.

To learn more about the White House Office of Public Engagement and the White House Initiative on AAPIs, visit http://whitehouse.gov/aapi and encourage your friends and colleagues to sign up for updates!

Best,

Gautam Raghavan

Office of Public Engagement

The White House

LGBT@who.eop.gov

P.S. -- If you're on Twitter, you can follow Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett at @VJ44, Public Engagement Director Paulette Aniskoff at @PAniskoff44, and Director of Specialty Media Shin Inouye at @Inouye44!

Telling All of America's Story: The National Park Service Announces LGBT Theme Study

Last week, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and the National Park Foundation, in partnership with the Gill Foundation, announced a new LGBT theme study -- standing outside the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The study will help identify places and events associated with the story of LGBT Americans for inclusion in the parks and programs of the National Parks Service. The theme study is part of a broader initiative under the Obama Administration to ensure that the National Park Service reflects and tells a more complete story of the people and events responsible for building this nation. Read more here.

On Tuesday, June 10th, the Department of the Interior and National Parks Service will host a meeting in Washington, DC to develop a framework and focus for the LGBT theme study with a group of more than a dozen of the nation's most respected researchers and preservationists who have expertise on LGBT history and culture:

Additionally, this will provide one comprehensive database of resumes for employers who are seeking to leverage the skills and talents of veterans, service members, and their spouses.

The Inaugural National Park Service Theme Study Panel Discussion

with special guests

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi

and

U.S. Ambassador to Australia John Berry

Tuesday, June 10th, 2014

2:00 p.m. -- Check-In

2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m -- Remarks & Panel Discussion

U.S. Department of the Interior

Sidney Yates Auditorium

1849 C Street NW

If you would like to attend, please RSVP by emailing LGBTPanel@ios.doi.gov and include any questions you may have for the panel.

The Harvey Milk Forever Stamp Is Dedicated

On what would have been the 84th birthday of Harvey Milk, the White House, in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service and Harvey Milk Foundation, hosted an event for the unveiling of the Harvey Milk Forever stamp. The event featured remarks by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Representative John Lewis, Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman, and other distinguished guests including the Co-Founders of the Harvey Milk Foundation, Stuart Milk and Anne Kronenberg. Read more about the event here and watch video footage of the ceremony.

Statement by the President on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

On May 16, President Obama released the following statement regarding the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia:

Tomorrow, as we commemorate the 10th annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we recommit ourselves to the fundamental belief that all people should be treated equally, that they should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and that no one should face violence or discrimination -- no matter who they are or whom they love.

This year, the United States celebrates the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, and the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. In doing so, we reflect on lessons learned from our own civil rights struggles and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the human rights of all people are universally protected.

At a time when, tragically, we are seeing increased efforts to criminalize or oppress LGBT persons, we call on partners everywhere to join us in defending the equal rights of our LGBT brothers and sisters, and in ensuring they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Secretary of State John Kerry also issued a Statement "Commemorating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia," which is available here.

White House Office of National AIDS Policy Announces Series of Listening Sessions

Recently, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) announced that it will host a series of regional listening sessions this summer on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). Douglas Brooks, ONAP's newly appointed Director, will lead the listening sessions, which will be part of a visit to each community that will include site visits to organizations engaged in the community's efforts to improve outcomes along the HIV Care Continuum. The purpose of the listening sessions is to better understand local and state level efforts related to the implementation of the NHAS, including discussion about how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is helping advance the Strategy. The meetings are open to the public with the goal of engaging many stakeholders about the innovations, successes, and challenges being experienced at the state and local levels.

Click here to learn more about these sessions.

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