WASHINGTON — The White House has remained silent on recognition of LGBT Pride Month — except for a tweet from the first daughter.
President Trump issued proclamations to declare June Great Outdoors Month, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, National Ocean Month, and National Homeownership Month.
At the end of June 2015, the year that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, President Obama lit up the White House exterior in rainbow colors in recognition of the LGBT community.
“There remains much work to do to extend the promise of our country to every American, but because of the acts of courage of the millions who came out and spoke out to demand justice and of those who quietly toiled and pushed for progress, our Nation has made great strides in recognizing what these brave individuals long knew to be true in their hearts — that love is love and that no person should be judged by anything but the content of their character,” Obama wrote in a lengthy proclamation last year. “During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, as Americans wave their flags of pride high and march boldly forward in parades and demonstrations, let us celebrate how far we have come and reaffirm our steadfast belief in the equal dignity of all Americans.”
Obama also hosted the eight LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House last June 9.
Other departments also marked the month, with then-Defense Secretary Ashton Carter last year lauding LGBT soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines, noting “their hard work, courage, and sacrifices make them respected members of our diverse DoD family.”
President George W. Bush did not recognize Pride Month, while President Clinton did.
On Thursday evening, Ivanka Trump tweeted her thoughts:
I am proud to support my LGBTQ friends and the LGBTQ Americans who have made immense contributions to our society and economy.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 2, 2017
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said this week that he’s “deeply disappointed that President Trump has broken his promises to the LGBT community since taking office by removing protective guidance for transgender students, appointing officials with anti-LGBT views to senior roles, and remaining silent on the atrocities against gay men in Chechnya.”
“In light of his actions, those of us in Congress must make it clear that we will not tolerate hate and discrimination,” Hoyer added.
The Equality Act, a bill that tightens protections against discrimination based on on sexual orientation or gender identity, has two GOP co-sponsors: Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), an original co-sponsor, and Scott Taylor (R-Va.), who signed on last week.
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