LGBT Network CEO David Kilmnick Sunday blasted President Donald Trump, who has yet to declare June as Pride Month despite issuing more than a dozen proclamations – even one for “Financial Capability Month” since he took office in January.
“It’s shameful that the president of the United States has failed to recognize such a historically significant time for the LGBT community,” said Dr. David Kilmnick, CEO of the LGBT Network. “Millions of people across the country recognize and celebrate June as LGBT Pride Month, which is important not only to LGBT Americans, but to any American who believe in civil and human rights for all.”
Pride Month is celebrated in June each year around the country to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots gave rise to the modern-day LGBT rights movement.
“Shame on Donald Trump for once again failing to uphold the American values of liberty and justice for all,” Dr. Kilmnick said. “From removing LGBT families from being counted in the next US Census to this latest action of not recognizing Pride month, the Trump administration has proven once again that they are fundamentally hostile to our existence and reject the notion for full equality”.
Former President Bill Clinton was the first to officially declare June as Pride Month in 1998 and former President Barack Obama issued a Pride Month proclamation every year he was in office and even hosted annual LGBT Pride receptions.
President Donald Trump has so far declared June as ‘National Homeownership Month,’ ‘National Ocean Month,’ ‘Great Outdoors Month,’ ‘African-American Music Appreciation Month,’ and ‘National Caribbean-American Heritage Month,’ but has made no mention of ‘Pride Month.’ The White House has so far not responded to media inquiries regarding ‘Pride Month.’
