Events during 2009-JUN illustrating
cultural shifts about sexual minorities

"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."

He listed some of the initiatives that the government is involved in:

	Decriminalization of same-sex behavior around the world.
	Hate crimes laws
	Supporting civil unions
	Supporting federal rights for LGBT couples
	Outlawing discrimination in employment
	Ensuring adoption rights
	Ending the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy in the Armed forces.

He concluded:

"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." ₁

2009-JUN-12: India: Anti-gay law may be reconsidered: Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was created during the 19th century during colonial times to criminalize same-sex sexual behavior. Law minister Veerappa Moily has indicted that the government may revisit the law and liberalize it. Ashok Row Kavi, consultant for UNAIDS and UNDP, said: "It will be the best thing for the national AIDS control program since efforts to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS will no longer be impeded by the law." During 2001, Naz Foundation, a non-profit gay-positive group, had petitioned the Indian high court to "read down" section 377. The health ministry supported the petition the law ministries opposed it. The high court has recently finished hearing arguments on the petition. ₃

2009-JUN-12: USA: Proposed change to gay immigration: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a meeting to hear public input on the "Uniting American Families Act" (UAFA). Many countries, like Canada, France and Germany, recognize loving committed same-sex couples in their immigration legislation. The U.S. does not; they are treated only as friends. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who chairs the Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) have introduced bills in the Senate (S. 424) and House (H.R. 1024) that would allow citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners in a similar way as heterosexual spouses currently petition for foreign-born husbands and wives. Leahy said in an interview: "I think it's a matter of fairness." _4,5,6
 

2009-JUN-16: Federal benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees: President Obama signed a presidential memorandum that grant a limited number of employee benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers. More details
 

2009-JUN-19: Federal Census Bureau will count same-sex marriages: During the Bush administration, the Census Bureau refused to count same-sex couples, citing the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as justification. In a major win for the GLBT community, the Bureau will now count same-sex marriages (SSMs), civil unions and domestic partnerships. The next major census is due in 2010.

Steve Jost, a spokesman for the Census Bureau, said:

"They will be counted, and they ought to report the way they see themselves. In the normal process of reports coming out after the census of 2010, I think the country will have a good data set on which to discuss this phenomenon that is evolving in this country."

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said that:

"The president and the administration are committed to a fair and accurate count of all Americans. We're in the midst of determining the best way to ensure that gay and lesbian couples are accurately counted."

"We have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law."

"I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security ? Ending the policy requires an act of Congress and will take time." ₉