I also signed an Executive Order affirming all qualified Americans will be able to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States - including patriotic transgender Americans who can once again proudly and openly serve their Nation in uniform - and a National Security Memorandum that commits to supporting LGBTQ+ Federal employees serving overseas. As a result, the Federal Government has taken steps to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in employment, health care, housing, lending, and education. On my first day in office, I signed an Executive Order charging Federal agencies to fully enforce all Federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
#Washington state offices to fly the rainbow gay pride flag full#
My Administration is taking historic actions to finally deliver full equality for LGBTQ+ families. As President, I am committed to defending the rights of all LGBTQ+ individuals. Ending violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community demands our continued focus and diligence. And we are still haunted by tragedies such as the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. Our Nation also continues to face tragic levels of violence against transgender people, especially transgender women of color.
Some States have chosen to actively target transgender youth through discriminatory bills that defy our Nation’s values of inclusivity and freedom for all.
LGBTQ+ individuals - especially youth who defy sex or gender norms - face bullying and harassment in educational settings and are at a disproportionate risk of self-harm and death by suicide. Our Nation continues to witness a tragic spike in violence against transgender women of color. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate.įor all of our progress, there are many States in which LGBTQ+ individuals still lack protections for fundamental rights and dignity in hospitals, schools, public accommodations, and other spaces. Nearly 14 percent of my 1,500 agency appointees identify as LGBTQ+, and I am particularly honored by the service of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Cabinet, and Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Members of the LGBTQ+ community now serve in nearly every level of public office - in city halls and State capitals, Governors’ mansions and the halls of the Congress, and throughout my Administration. Hate Crimes Prevention Act broadened the definition of hate crimes to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. Historic Supreme Court rulings in recent years have struck down regressive laws, affirmed the right to marriage equality, and secured workplace protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in every State and Territory. The LGBTQ+ community in America has achieved remarkable progress since Stonewall. This Pride Month, we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals across America, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. Pride is both a jubilant communal celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity. Pride is a time to recall the trials the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought - and continue to fight - for full equality. The department, along with the embassies in Israel and Brazil, reportedly did not respond to requests for comment.The uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June, 1969, sparked a liberation movement - a call to action that continues to inspire us to live up to our Nation’s promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all. Embassy in Latvia referred questions to the State Department. Embassy spokesperson Joseph Giordono-Scholz also told NBC the flag would “be on as many places as it can at the Embassy,” but did not confirm that it would be on an official flagpole. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who is spearheading the effort to end the criminalization of homosexuality overseas, told the network he was proud to “fly the gay pride flag” and have a large rainbow banner hanging from the embassy.
government said the flag can be displayed inside the embassy and on exterior walls, but embassies have to request permission to put the flag on “official flagpole stands.” So far, NBC says no requests have been granted. Embassies in Israel, Germany, Brazil, and Latvia are reportedly among those that have requested to fly the flag and have been denied by the State Department. embassies’ requests to fly the LGBT pride flag on flagpoles during Pride Month, NBC News reports. The Trump administration is rejecting U.S.