lesbian gay bisexual transgender pride month 2014

LESBIAN GAY BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH 2014

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Month

“This month, as we mark 45 years since the patrons of the Stonewall Inn defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement, let us honor every brave leader who stood up, sat in, and came out, as well as the allies who supported them along the way. Following their example, let each of us speak for tolerance, justice, and dignity—because if hearts and minds continue to change over time, laws will too.”

—President Barack Obama Presidential Proclamation 2014

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Photo courtesy of the White House


Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month is celebrated in the month of June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City.

The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the

Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

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The Department of Defense (DoD) joins the Nation in celebrating LGBT Pride Month.

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“We recognize gay, lesbian and bisexual service members and LGBT civilians for their dedicated service to our country; the heroic contributions made by these Americans strengthen our national security. Whether officer, enlisted, civilian employee, or family member, their inclusion gives our Department greater promise and possibility.” —Clarence A. Johnson

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Clarence A. JohnsonDirector, Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity


“Our nation has always benefited from the service of gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors, airmen, and coast guardsmen, and Marines. Now they can serve openly, with full honor, integrity, and respect. This makes our military and our nation stronger, much stronger…We're very proud of everything the gay and lesbian community have contributed and continue to contribute. With their service, we are moving closer to fulfilling the country's founding vision, that all of us are created equal.” —Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

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The DoD is committed to promoting an environment free from personal, social, or institutional barriers that prevent its workforce from rising to the highest level of responsibility possible regardless of sexual orientation.

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On April 28, 2014, the Pentagon released an update to the DoD Human Goals Charter, which for the first time included language related to sexual orientation in the section dealing with the military.

The Charter, originally signed in August 1969, is the cornerstone document governing the Defense Department's fair treatment of people, as well as its diversity and equity programs. The 2014 charter establishes ten goals.

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The Charter outlines the agency's human rights principles, citing a desire to “create a culture of inclusion” among service members and civilian contractors.

Mention of sexual orientation is included in the Charter's instructions on how to attain the stated goals, as well as in its desire to be "a model of equal opportunity" in civilian and military employment.

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On April 28, 2014 Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, and several other senior civilian and military leaders signed the updated DoD Human Goals Charter in a ceremony held in the Pentagon.

DoD Human Goals Charter Signing Ceremony

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DoD Human Goals Charter


The attainment of these goals requires that we strive:

1. To attract to the DoD people with ability, dedication, and capacity for growth.

2. To provide opportunity for everyone, military and civilian, to rise to as high a level of responsibility as possible, dependent only on individual talent and diligence.

3. To assure that equal opportunity programs are an integral part of readiness.

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4. To make military service in the DoD a model of equal opportunity for all regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.

5. To provide equity in civilian employment regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or genetic information, without reprisal and to provide an environment that is accessible to and usable by all.

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6. To hold those who do business with or receive assistance from the Department to full compliance with its equal opportunity policies.

7. T0 help each service member in leaving the service to readjust to civilian life.

8. To create an inclusive environment that values diversity and fosters mutual respect and cooperation among all persons.

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9. To contribute to the improvement of our society, including its disadvantaged members, by efficient utilization of our human and physical resources while maintaining full effectiveness in the performance of our primary mission.

10. To foster a culture that treats all individuals as full and equal partners on the National Defense team, and encourages the fullest utilization of their skills consistent with DoD policy.

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“I’m proud that the language of the Charter has been updated to reflect the contributions of gay and lesbian military personnel who now serve openly and proudly across America’s armed forces. We will continue striving to make military service a model of equal opportunity for all regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.”

—Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Martin E. Dempsey noted at the signing, that 67 years ago in June, President Harry S. Truman spoke about civil rights and human freedom. Particularly the necessity for the federal government to remain a friendly, vigilant defender of the rights and equalities of all Americans.

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General Martin E. Dempsey Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff


“The DoD human goals charter we are resigning today affirms that noble American conviction,” Dempsey said. “The virtues we celebrate today are the very fabric of our profession of arms. The quality, dignity, and respect comprise the cloth of our culture.”

And the opportunity of service, Dempsey added, must reinforce what is best about America— a nation that cannot afford attacks of prejudice or discrimination. “We must always show the way,” the chairman said.

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Diversity and inclusion are readiness imperatives; we rely on our diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise to enable us to address the complex challenges of the global security environment.

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Diversity is more than race, gender, and ethnicity—among other things, it means diversity of thought, ability, background, language, culture, and skill.

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“The changing face of the nation demands that we change. As the demographic make-up of the American population continues to evolve, it is imperative that the DoD focus its efforts on emerging talent to ensure that we successfully attract, recruit, develop, and retain a highly-skilled total force capable of meeting current and future mission requirements.”

—The Office of Diversity Management

and Equal Opportunity

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Resources

http://loc.gov/lgbt/about.htmlhttp://diversity.defense.gov/http://www.defense.gov/

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http://loc.gov/lgbt/about.html

http://diversity.defense.gov/

http://www.defense.gov/

Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute,

Patrick Air Force Base, FloridaJune 2014

All photographs are public domain and are from various sources, as cited.

The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official DEOMI, U.S. military services, or Department of Defense position, unless designated by other authorized

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lesbian gay bisexual transgender pride month 2014

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