Fallout Friday, Me, U & Them

Can you feel it? It's a sensation that's starting to rush the city. It's the feeling of PRIDE 2009 that's opening like fresh flowers after a summer shower. If the buzz hasn't grabbed you as yet, I hope that in the coming days, you will find yourself getting into a pride mindset and then passing it on!! Of course, here at COP24/7 we are always in a state of pride when bringing you the latest updates, links, videos, pod casting, commentary and so much more that you can possibly handle. Therefore, let's not tarry and get it in gear for this outing. Let er rip.....

Pride Politics: It's official, POTUS has spoken. Who is POTUS, well it's the code moniker for "President of the United States", Barack Obama, who has sent forth a proclamation citing LGBT Pride Month. Say what? Yes, it's true. However, this presidential move didn't send the talking heads over the cliffs or shock waves through wall street. But, it ceremoniously pings in lavender sets and communities across the land, in lieu of Prop 8 or the renegade states signing on to Marriage equality. Nevertheless, I'm pleased as punch for that effort, it's the political home front that has me pondering if this community can get a proclamation from the Governor, Mayor or somebody? If the leader of the Free World can step to plate and reconize, then my dear voting friends, if we can't defeat, overturn anything, can we at least get a measly proclamation? For the record, this has been tried before from then guv, Bill Clinton's office was approached with the idea and was bemirched by Chief of Staff, Betsy Wright, whom saw no value in doing a radical thing like that. Oh how the times are a changing or are they? Certainly Clinton 42 and S.O.S Hillary have taken a liking to the GLBT community after them days. So the question that lies before us, can we ask for a proclamation from Gov. Bebee or Mayor Stodala without rebuff or billy goat gruff? Well, I'm don't know, but it sounds like a good idea to me. In the meantime, here's the real deal from President O. Thanks Mr. President for the shout out!

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary___________________________________________________________For Immediate Release June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA