Presidential Proclamation--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

[chipgallo]

Did you know that June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-pride-month

I'm wondering how many federal agencies are promoting this internally to their staff. It feels like a sea change from past awareness campaigns.

[Nanuk]

Playing to the base again by pandering to people based on their sexual kinks. Sounds like Obama is really getting desperate for votes next year.

Not surprising considering that polls are now showing Mitt Romney tied with and quite possibly beating him.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/abc-news-poll-romney-pulls-obama-head-head/story?id=13776546

I wonder who he'll try to suck up to next?

[Chutney Daftcraft]

Did you know that June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month?


Yes. Most pride parades usually happen in June, so it fits.

I also like the fit because my husband and I were married in June.

I doubt it's being promoted, it's probably just being mentioned.

[Jenniffer]

I look forward to the day when GLBT kids (and adults) no longer have to be fearful of bullying, intimidation, and teasing in school, or anywhere else.

[chipgallo]

Yes. Most pride parades usually happen in June, so it fits.

I also like the fit because my husband and I were married in June.

I doubt it's being promoted, it's probably just being mentioned.

Our HR department e-mailed a full description with a link to the White House web site page. It went to all staff, feds and contractors. Once I see it on the elevator LCD screens, that will confirm a campaign as opposed to a mention.

[derricksonb]

I look forward to the day when GLBT kids (and adults) no longer have to be fearful of bullying, intimidation, and teasing in school, or anywhere else.

I look forward to the day where caucasian heterosexual males are treated with the same equality that others demand by removing the five point preferential treatment of minorities and women and resetting the playing field to zero.

[scottwilliams33]

Yea! We get a whole month to celebrate people's sexual choice and/or physical changes to their bodies to change their sex. I think with this type of celebration, we should have other similar sexual choices such as privates picture emailing month, national divorce month, one night stand month, monogamy month, and of course, straight marriage month. Heck I bet with this we can fill a whole year. Forgive me for asking, but if the Gay people want to be accepted as the same as everyone else, shouldn't they oppose making their status stand out by having a month dedicated to their sexuality choices?

[KatherineA]

The Federal workplace also celebrates Black History Month, Asian Pacific Heritage Month, etc. This is no different than those. These events are held to breakdown stereotypes and prejudices (which apparently are alive and well on S&B).

[WildFlower]

I have always felt that EVERYONE should be treated equally. I am not fond of people getting a leg forward just because of what they happen to believe or who they are, I have always felt that it should come down to your ethics and your abilities. That being said, until the people in our country can treat each other with respect dispite our differances or personal opinions, then I support campaigns to promote the acceptance and pride of individuals. Just as I support the right to defend ourselves from harm by bearing arms. I have seen hate and evil come from the hands of others to harm people that are not the "norm" many times over the years of my life. I have a gay sibling, so thats the norm for me. I think it opens the doors for education and acceptance to people who are closed minded in this issue. People need to understand that just because you do not agree with someones lifetsyle or beliefs, does not mean that you can treat them any way you wish. Before the assumption is made, I am not a liberal nor am I conservative..I am middle road. Just my opinion though and I would never expect to change anothers views.

[scottwilliams33]

Well I never understood why to help to "breakdown stereotypes and prejudices" we point them out by making a Month out of it.

I do think this is different, however, your examples were based on what your heritage is, not your sexual preferences. I have to agree with nanuk that it appears to be really about getting votes from a certain segment of people that were for him at the last election that are not as happy about him this election because of his lack of action on many of the issues that are important to them.

[KatherineA]

The initial proclamation was made in 2010. It is not a "new" initiative to court votes at this point in time. This month was dedicated to LBGT individuals last year and again this year.

[Nanuk]

I'm sure that this guy (http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-inmate-sues-for-sex-change-operation,0,1879219.story) will be very happy to know that Obama has declared this to be his month.

[Tony]

if the Gay people want to be accepted as the same as everyone else, shouldn't they oppose making their status stand out by having a month dedicated to their sexuality choices? I agree. One should celebrate accomplishments, not sexual proclivities. But I guess in the end it doesn't really mean much. Not like we have to buy them all a free cup of coffee.

[MoeMoe]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/07/catholic-charities-sue-st_n_872721.html Since this thread is about people being treated equally. I know many local people have used Catholic Charites ( i believe based in Baltimore) , for their childs adoption.

[KatherineA]

Playing to the base again by pandering to people based on their sexual kinks. Sounds like Obama is really getting desperate for votes next year.

Not surprising considering that polls are now showing Mitt Romney tied with and quite possibly beating him.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/abc-news-poll-romney-pulls-obama-head-head/story?id=13776546

I wonder who he'll try to suck up to next?

Oddly enough -other polls say different. Obama leads all potential Republican challengers by double-digit margins, the poll showed. He is ahead of his closest Republican rival, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, by 13 percentage points -- 51 percent to 38 percent.

"Obama's position has gotten a little stronger over the last couple of months as the public mood has evened out, and as an incumbent he has some big advantages over his rivals," Ipsos pollster Cliff Young said.

. . . . In the Reuters/Ipsos poll, the other Republican contenders fared even worse than Romney's 13-point gap in a match-up with Obama. Palin trailed Obama by 23 points and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was behind by 19 points.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/08/us-usa-campaign-poll-idUSTRE75749V20110608

[chipgallo]

Forum Rule #2 in part, says: "Don't hijack other's topics by changing the subject." Please start your own thread on the pre-election polls.

[SeanEpperson]

Why does anyone care what one adult does with another consenting adult (sans extenuating circumstances.)?

[longleaf]

What are you all talking about? It's Bounty Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounty_Day)

[Nanuk]

Why does anyone care what one adult does with another consenting adult (sans extenuating circumstances.)?

I agree. What any two people do in their own home is their own business. So why are we saying that people who choose to have sex with other people of their own gender suddenly deserve a month of special public recognition?

[derricksonb]

What are you all talking about? It's Bounty Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounty_Day)

I thought it was IPv6 day?

[Jenniffer]

I read this a few days ago (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/07/sissy.boy.experiment/index.html) and was thinking that if this doctor had received more understanding and acceptance in his own youth, he might have extended it to his patients. Instead he's lived a life of secrecy and shame, and passed that on. The results can be fatal. When awareness campaigns meet a little bit of empathy, that can increase understanding and acceptance. How that can be construed as a bad thing is beyond me.

Over and over again we see media exposing people who are engaging in the very things they publicly oppose. It's an interesting phenomenon.

[chipgallo]

When awareness campaigns meet a little bit of empathy, that can increase understanding and acceptance.

Federal managers, team leads and other workers are often trained in team building and staff communication techniques. The awareness campaigns can supply cultural information, replacing innuendo, rumor or urban legend. We can then build effective teams with reduced concern for race, religion, disability, etc. As an IT support person, I think I am better at resolving customer issues by empathizing and listening *through* cultural barriers such as dialect or personal dress. Empathy does not mean that one agrees with or wants to become like the other person.

[KatherineA]

Forum Rule #2 in part, says: "Don't hijack other's topics by changing the subject." Please start your own thread on the pre-election polls.

This thread has included responses to the topic that this monthly event was started this year and to court another group of voters for Obama. My post is in response to that assertion and is hardly a hijack.

Sorry I didn't bring the argument full circle for you in the post, but anyone reading the entire conversation would realize it was not a hijack but a reponse to the original assertion.

[chipgallo]

This thread has included responses to the topic that this monthly event was started this year and to court another group of voters for Obama. My post is in response to that assertion and is hardly a hijack.


That assertion was a hijack as would be any follow on. If it is relevant to the main thread, I don't mind (there simply isn't any evidence of political collusion at the agency level). If for example someone claimed that off world aliens were manipulating us via these awareness campaigns, follow up debunking could derail the topic. Where to draw the line is an art.

[WildFlower]

In my hometown, there were a couple of transgenders murdered just because they dressed like women but were men. They were followed home as they left the bar one night.
I have also know quite a few people terrified to come out of the closet, or even admit to themselves who they were. Imagine for a moment that your life was like that....forcing yourself to try and be someone your not. Denying yourself that ability to be true to yourself and to others. I feel terrible for people that have to live like that. Most of these people are so scared of society and the repercussions of being themselves. I cant say I blame them either, when someone would hate them just because they are different. Differences are what keep us from living in the novel 1984. Parts of society have been taught to be closed minded and downright hateful, and I think it takes reteaching for any change to happen. If more people would not be closed minded and comfortable in their skin, then we would not have such struggles in our interactions with others and our own lives. I think it is very easy to complain about something that you cannot relate to at all. But if you stopped and really thought about how different your life would be if you were placed in a situation were you were hated for being yourself and just trying to be happy. No person that is trying to find happiness in their lives, without deliberately hurting others, deserves to be treated so bad. I have stood up to people who ignorantly called my brother horrible names, because he has always been brave enough to be himself even in the darkest times. So really I am glad to see things like this occuring, maybe one day my brother and all the others can live peacefully without someone being terrible to them!

[chipgallo]

WildFlower, I remember the bias that I was taught as a child in Morgantown, WV in the 1950's. My mother was very worried that a local homosexual man would somehow harm me. In school if the topic was discussed at all, emotionally charged negative terms were always used. In absence of education, fear can dominate. Thanks for posting!

[Nanuk]

In my hometown, there were a couple of transgenders murdered just because they dressed like women but were men. They were followed home as they left the bar one night.
Unfortunately that usually happens because they pass themselves off as women and engage in acts of prostitution. Some of their johns get a little bit upset to find out that they've just paid money to get blown by a dude.

As for the rest, no one that I see here is hating on gays or saying that they cannot be gay in the privacy of their own home, or even in a socially-acceptable setting. However the issue now is the federal government saying that some people deserve recognition and celebration not for any work-related performance but because they choose to have sex with members of their own gender, presumably when off the clock and off of federal property. WTF is that about if not pandering for votes using government resources?

[chipgallo]

However the issue now is the federal government saying that some people deserve recognition and celebration not for any work-related performance but because they choose to have sex with members of their own gender, presumably when off the clock and off of federal property. WTF is that about if not pandering for votes using government resources?
If you read down to the bottom of the proclamation it says:

"I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal."

My guess is that this pisses off more people than it "panders" to, a negative gain for the president.

And after that it says:

" NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists." [italics added]

Numerous presidents have signed or supported civil rights legislation. They do it because it is the right thing to do. Voters support them because, among other reasons, they appreciate that. Many actions taken in the Executive Branch make use of federal resources as those resources are there to be leveraged by management.

[Nanuk]

But this isn't civil rights. It's merely recognition and promotion of a chosen lifestyle, specifically one whose adherents have organized into a small but loud group.

The federal government needs to focus on one thing as far as the workplace goes, and that is job performance within the workplace. It is not the business of the government to discuss or advocate who sleeps with who on their own time. The idea that the federal government has any right to a say over our private lives is not only ludicrous, it's dangerous.

[KatherineA]

But this isn't civil rights. It's merely recognition and promotion of a chosen lifestyle, specifically one whose adherents have organized into a small but loud group.

The federal government needs to focus on one thing as far as the workplace goes, and that is job performance within the workplace. It is not the business of the government to discuss or advocate who sleeps with who on their own time. The idea that the federal government has any right to a say over our private lives is not only ludicrous, it's dangerous.

Wow I agree in part with you. the last sentence in particular. But as an employer, the Federal government also has a duty to have a smooth functioning workforce and part of having a smoothly functioning workforce is training people to work with other people professionally and respectfully, whether they are blue, green, gay, straight or whatever. So I can see the training/HR aspect as important and worthy of the use of govt. funds.

And in answer to the initial opening question of this thread (whether we S&B readers knew about LGBT month in the workplace) did not know this was LGBT month. I would not have known from any of our primary internal agency websites absent a search, Our agency does not have any posters up about the month or speakers planned (if there are they are not being advertised in this building). By searching I found a couple of divisions with their own acknowledgment up on their internal websites, but that was it.

Hopefully this is an "artful" enough response
Maybe I'll get a thank you for posting too!!!

[Jenniffer]

That's interesting that different agencies handle it differently. It points to the idea that observance is voluntary, as opposed to being crammed down anyone's throat. Thanks for posting, Katherine! :varmint_in_love_ty_

[chipgallo]

Thanks, KatherineA, for your contributions to the thread. I haven't seen any elevator or hanging ads in the work place. Only one e-mail with the links to the whitehouse.gov announcement. Our participation is voluntary (as with all the awareness programs).

It is illegal btw to campaign feds on the job.

[shannondale_dweller3]

I have seen nothing in my agency either. No emails, posters, nothing.
However, if we need to promote awareness and fairness for GLBT folks, why not recognize morbidly obese month, terrible blue hair month, covered in tattoo month, or happily married traditional family month?? I don't see the govt celebrating my Irish heritage? Sure we have st pats day but ive never noticed posters for that? Or german month..... We are running out of months. I think there should be west Virginia month too- I'm sick of the WV jokes I hear all the time at work!!!
It's just getting stupid!

[Willis]

I think there should be west Virginia month too
Hijack: WV Day is only 10 days hence. Celebrate it an entire week :)

[Curt Mudgeon]

I'm against it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtMV44yoXZ0

[LFE]

So many songs to choose from.. so little time.

http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/nf0oXY4nDxE/default.jpg4:24 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf0oXY4nDxE)

Aerosmith - Dude (Looks Like A Lady) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf0oXY4nDxE)

[derricksonb]

How about this one for Candy Kitchens Month. (http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/269241/fudge-packer)......

Also, I've decided to change my avatar in recognition of this momentous event in American history.

[caroline]

I think LGBT month is a nice idea. It's about dang time this group is finally treated "normally and fairly" in society. In many ancient civilizations and primitive cultures LGBT folks were considered normal parts of society but since the puritans they have been treated as deviants in our society but once one really investigates the practices of the puritans it is obvious they were the deviants!

[LFE]

So long as we're going to bring religion into this, Christianity before enlightenment rocked.
- You don't believe in what we're telling you to believe in... then we're going to kill you and take all your stuff in the name of the church.

[chipgallo]

Robert Heinlein once noted over 11 different human sexes (well, variations) in one of his science fiction novels. As a youngster I remember being surprised by this. I have no idea where he got the notion or even if he made it up, but it stuck with me. And in science there are species that can change sex depending on the situation; others pretend to be the opposite sex for various reasons.

[Nanuk]

I think LGBT month is a nice idea. It's about dang time this group is finally treated "normally and fairly" in society.

How are they treated unfairly in the workplace today? If they keep their sexual preferences to themselves like workplace professionals are supposed to, no one should even know that they aren't just like everybody else.

[chipgallo]

You can answer your own question on this one. In the professional work place we are often presented with examples of sexual favoritism. It is obvious in sales and marketing but present elsewhere too. Straight men and women aren't required to "keep their sexual preferences to themselves" are they? A fair amount of sexual hazing goes on in the time between professional interactions such as meetings. The rumor mill runs 24x7 and supervisory staff can be influenced by this (and may receive training to offset the effects).

There is an implicit assumption that "everyone else" is straight, but after years of observation I have concluded that 10% or more are simply successfully "passing" for what you assume is normal. There is a reason why modern media includes gay characters and performers. An audience exists for alternative lifestyles. To ignore this in the workplace is a head-in-the-sand perspective.

[kkrapf]

How are they treated unfairly in the workplace today? If they keep their sexual preferences to themselves like workplace professionals are supposed to, no one should even know that they aren't just like everybody else.

So you are suggesting that workplace professionals not display pictures of their opposite gender spouse in their cube? Or ever mention their significant other over lunch? Or make any sort of reference to their personal lives? Because in my time as a "workplace professional", that wasn't the case. You knew when so-and-so's wife was pregnant, how their kids were doing, etc. etc. etc. and so forth. It's not about a homosexual man saying "yeah I boned this really hot guy last night." It's about him being able to say, "Tim just got a great promotion, isn't that awesome?" It's about not having to compartmentalize a whole portion of your life because it might impact your job security.

[chipgallo]

Krapf, good points and it reminded me of the impact that social media has had. There now is a way for business professionals to have a view into more personal aspects of a coworker than ever before. Through Facebook, LinkedIn and other online sources, I discovered more than one coworker has a non-traditional living arrangement. I don't recommend sharing social media with one's supervisor but it is inevitable that some will do so. They may be excellent workers but have a photo of them marching in a Gay Pride parade where coworkers can see it.

[caroline]

kkrapf and chipgallo couldn't have said it better but for the record I didn't say workplace I said society. Anti LGBT info and groups often publicly demonstrate against the LGBT life style and I am sure after a while that would make you feel picked on and unwelcome. It is nice to see positive things about the achievements of LGBT folks.

[Jenniffer]

The reason we need more awareness and education: Disabled Gay Couple Kicked out of Public Pool (http://my.auburnjournal.com/detail/181162.html)

[PhoenixOrion]

if the Gay people want to be accepted as the same as everyone else, shouldn't they oppose making their status stand out by having a month dedicated to their sexuality choices?

This is how I feel too. While I have no problem with awareness campaigns (whatever the issue), why bring so much attention to yourself if you want to be treated like everyone else? I also get the bullying aspect but that doesn't start or end with homosexuality. It's been a problem for decades and reaches across the board. So gay kids are killing themselves? Yeah well, fat kids have been doing that for years. Where's the fat campaign? Oh, wait. That's unhealthy. Forgot.

[derricksonb]

Where's the fat campaign? Oh, wait. That's unhealthy. Forgot.

Being fat is no more unhealthy than being homosexual nor does it exclude one from having certain types of diseases that go along with the prescribed lifestyle. Fat people are more likely to have heart disease and gays are more likely to have AIDS. Statistics don't lie, but you bring up a good point. Where on the calendar is Heterosexual awareness month? I'd also like to know where Caucasian American month is celebrated?

Why is it that Straight Caucasians are the most hated people in this country, yet we make up the majority?

[Tony]

Why is it that Straight Caucasians are the most hated people in this country, yet we make up the majority? Two points. First, you're setting up a straw man here - how do you know white guys are the most hated? I've never even seen any polls on that. In fact, the only polling I've ever seen about prejudice wouldn't indicate this at all.

But assuming you can actually verify that statement, then a rule of statistics kicks in. If you have the most popular product on the market, then you will also have the most complaints about it. Not because there's anything wrong with the product, but only because with that many widgets out there more bad things are likely to happen.

[PhoenixOrion]

Being fat is no more unhealthy than being homosexual nor does it exclude one from having certain types of diseases that go along with the prescribed lifestyle. Fat people are more likely to have heart disease and gays are more likely to have AIDS. Statistics don't lie, but you bring up a good point. Where on the calendar is Heterosexual awareness month? I'd also like to know where Caucasian American month is celebrated?

Why is it that Straight Caucasians are the most hated people in this country, yet we make up the majority?

Good to see someone got the sarcasm.

I don't give two shits how people live their lives but when a certain lifestyle is shoved down my throat, I have to wonder... It's like I'm being forced to accept it. It's everywhere!