“A lot of what we’ve accomplished over these last six and a half years has been because of you.
I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country – the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us. Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights. So this week, I’m designating the Stonewall National Monument as the newest addition to America’s national parks system. And a lot of that progress can be traced back to Stonewall.
“But the arc of our history is clear – it’s an arc of progress.
And one year ago this weekend, we lit the White House in every color – because in every state in America, you’re now free to marry the person you love. Transgender Americans are more visible than ever, helping to make our nation more inclusive and welcoming for all. Insurance companies can no longer turn you away because of who you are. “Today, all Americans are protected by a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. It’s written by ordinary people who put their shoulders to the wheel of history to make sure that the promise of our founding applies not just to some of us – but to all of us. “The story of America is a story of progress. Whether their acts are big or small, we want to know their stories. Help us lift up the Black LGBTQ leaders in your community who are meeting this moment. They are on the frontlines of this fight-and we want to recognize them. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop, Tony McDade, and many others have sparked a global conversation about the persistence of racial discrimination, police violence, and other social inequities.įor people who live at the intersections of marginalized identities like race, gender, and sexuality, their struggles are compounded. The Black Lives Matter movement has revealed the depth and relentlessness of racial injustice in the United States and has stirred millions to action around the world. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, among many others, took a stand against police violence and harassment during the Stonewall rebellion.įifty one years later, much progress has been made-but the same struggle against systemic discrimination and police violence remains.
A seminal moment in that journey was in 1969, when LGBTQ activists Marsha P. Every June, we reflect on the significant progress we’ve made on the long road towards equality for LGBTQ Americans.