Winning the Future

By Joshua Boschee
Staff Writer

“The story of America’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community is the story of our fathers and sons, our mothers and daughters, and our friends and neighbors who continue the task of making our country a more perfect Union. It is a story about the struggle to realize the great American promise that all people can live with dignity and fairness under the law. Each June, we commemorate the courageous individuals who have fought to achieve this promise for LGBT Americans, and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The above statement is the preamble for this year’s Presidential Proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. June is recognized by the LGBT community as Pride month in honor of the Stonewall Riots that are considered the beginning of the modern LGBT rights movement in the United States.This is President Obama’s third year of officially recognizing the contributions that LGBT Americans have made and continue to make in the success of the United States.The Proclamation was followed by the unveiling of the White House’s web page, Winning the Future for LGBT Americans, dedicated solely to LGBT Americans. The page highlights the commitment the Obama administration has made to advance LGBT equality and strengthen LGBT families and communities.

These actions make me proud to have been one of many openly LGBT staff persons and volunteers that worked hard in 2008 to elect then Senator Obama to the White House. The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” providing inclusive interpretations of existing policies and laws, support of LGBT businesses in federal contracting, encouraging the international community to increase support of LGBT people and of course calling for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, are just a few of the many accomplishments that have occurred under the Obama administration.

While progress continues to occur, we also see the efforts of anti-LGBT people and organizations gain traction.  In Minnesota, a constitutional amendment will be on the November 2012 ballot that is intended to discriminate against same-sex relationships by limiting marriage as only between one man and one woman.  North Dakotans will vote in June 2012 on a ballot initiative that puts the burden of proof of discrimination on the victim and validating religious intolerance, which could have a very negative impact on LGBT people and their families in the state.

Efforts such as these are intended to harm us. They create division in communities that should be focused on larger problems impacting our communities such as creation of good paying jobs, meeting health care and educational needs, and providing for our aging parents and grandparents. These efforts have been successful in other states. However, over the past couple of years, we have seen a resolve both within the LGBT community and the greater populace, to see these divisive politics for what they are and stand in solidarity and continue moving our communities, states and country forward.

I invite you to attend one or more of the local Pride celebrations throughout the summer to show your support of the LGBT community and learn more about how you can help stand for unity over divisiveness. As Harvey Milk said, “Hope will never be silent.”

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If You Go:

What: Regional Prides Information
When: Twin Cities Pride, June 25-26 – http://www.tcpride.com
Grand Cities Pride, July 9 - http://tiny.cc/rzxx2
Bismarck Mandan PrideFest, July 29-31 - http://tiny.cc/pridefest
Fargo Moorhead Pride, August 11-14 – http://www.fmpride.com