Obama Names June Gay Pride Month

White House mum on Prop. 8 but gives gay pride a holiday

The White House this week honored homosexual Americans, officially designating June National Gay Pride Month -- even as the administration refused to publicly speak out about legislation like Proposition 8.

President Obama recognized the month in an official statement, saying June was chosen to commemorate the events of June 1969 in which New York City gays and lesbians fought against police brutality at the notorious Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. The designation officially recognizes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans.

"During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans," the statement read.

Obama wrote that he is the first president to openly appoint gays to the Senate -- and said he would continue to support civil unions for gay couples.

He also openly said in the statement he would support measures to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the U.S. military that prohibits homosexual soldiers from publicly discussing their sexuality.

"I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists," Obama wrote.

The Obama administration has been reluctant to speak out about a California court's recent refusal to overturn Prop. 8, a measure that bans gay marriage in the state.

Obama has publicly said he's against gay marriage but that he and the White House will support civil unions for homosexual partners.

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