White House, lawmakers renew vows to support LGBTQ community as Pride Month begins

The White House and other lawmakers are renewing previous vows to support the LGBTQ community as Pride Month begins.

“During Pride Month, we celebrate the extraordinary courage and contributions of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community,” Biden said in a proclamation Friday. “We reflect on the progress we have made so far in pursuit of equality, justice, and inclusion. We recommit ourselves to do more to support LGBTQI+ rights at home and around the world.”

Vice President Harris said in a post on the social platform X Saturday that her “message to LGBTQi+ Americans” is that “We see you. We hear you. And we celebrate you.”

“Happy Pride!” her post continued.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay Senate-confirmed Cabinet secretary in U.S. history, celebrated Pride Month in his own post on X. 

“Happy Pride! Pride month rests on a tradition of both celebration and protest, and above all an insistence on equality, safety, and belonging for all LGBTQ+ Americans,” he said in a Saturday post.

Pride Month, a celebration of the LGBTQ community, began in 1970 due to the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which are often considered a pivotal moment in the history of the community. The month is often marked by street parades, parties and colorful decorations.

The U.S. Defense Department said Pride Month "is a time to come together to honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ service members," in a Saturday post to social platform X.

“We are committed to ensuring and promoting an atmosphere of dignity and respect for all civilian and military personnel,” the department’s post continued.

The Congressional Equality Caucus, a pro-LGBTQ rights caucus in Congress, also marked the start of Pride Month with a post on X Saturday.

“As we kick off #PrideMonth, let's remember that Pride is the story of progress,” the post reads. “Our members are helping write that story every day by opposing the House GOP’s anti-equality agenda & supporting pro-LGTBQI+ legislation. Our members have LGBTQI+ people's back. Happy Pride, all!”

Top Congressional Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, also made their own Pride Month posts on X Saturday.

Schumer said said he would “never stop fighting for full equality, against bigotry and hatred, and for LGBTQ+ Americans to be able to live their full and complete truths" in his post to the social platform.

“Ever since Stonewall 55 years ago, each #PrideMonth celebrates the courage, beauty, strength & contributions of our LGBTQ+ communities,” Pelosi's post to social platform X said.

“Generations of brave LGBTQ+ leaders have fueled the fight for full equality. And we won’t rest until all can live authentic lives, with safety & dignity,” Pelosi continued.

Pride Month “Is a time to celebrate all of the incredible LGBTQIA+ people across this country and continue the fight for full equality, so that EVERYONE can live their full lives as their true, authentic selves," Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Congressional Progressive Caucus chair, said in a post to X.

“Happy Pride!!” Jayapal, whose own state was one of the first to legalize same-sex marriage, continued in her post.