So we’re going to have to keep on pushing. We have work to make sure that every single child, no matter who they are or where they come from or what they look like or how they live, feels welcomed and valued and loved.
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We’ve got work to do when LGBT people around the world still face incredible isolation and poverty and persecution and violence, and even death. We still have work to do when transgender persons are attacked, even killed for just being who they are. We have to work hard to make sure that jobs are not being denied, people aren’t being fired because of their sexual orientation. We still have more work to do when gay and bisexual men make up two-thirds of new HIV cases in our country. Securing the gains this country has made requires perseverance and vigilance. History doesn’t just travel forward it can go backwards if we don’t work hard. (Laughter.) But together, we’ve proven that change is possible, that progress is possible. And I know that there have been times where at least some of the people in this room have yelled at me. So some folks never imagined we’d come this far - maybe even some in this room. (Applause.) So we live in an America where the laws are finally catching up to the hearts of kids and what they instinctively understand. And discrimination, it’s so last century. When you talk to the upcoming generation, our kids - Malia’s, Sasha’s generation - they instinctively know people are people and families are families. Thanks to heroes like Edith Windsor and Jim - I always get Jim’s name - (laughter) - Jim knows I love him, but I never know where to put the emphasis - Obergefell - (applause) - generations of couples who insisted that love is love, we now live in an America where all of our marriages and our families are recognized as equal under the law. (Applause.) We live in an America where all of us are treated more equally, because visiting hours in hospitals no longer depend on who you are - (applause) - and insurance companies can no longer turn somebody away simply because of who you love. We live in an America that protects all of us with a hate crimes law that bears the name of Matthew Shepard. (Applause.) Because no one should have to hide who they love in order to serve the country that they love. Today, we live in an America where “don’t ask, don’t tell” don’t exist no more.
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Because of them, because of all of you, there’s a lot to be proud of today. Every brave American who came out and spoke out, especially when it was tough. The families who stood by their loved ones, even when it was tough. We honor the countless nameless heroes who paved the way for progress: The activists who marched. So every year, we set aside this month to celebrate the ways that so many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans have helped to make our union just a little more perfect. And I am grateful for all that you’ve done to work with us to accomplish some amazing transformations over these last seven and a half years. (Applause.) I want to begin by saying thank you to all the people that - I’m looking out in the audience I see some new friends but a lot of old friends, folks who have been with us through thick and thin. So this is the eighth Pride reception that we will celebrate together. (Applause.) We’ve got some amazing members of Congress - no one who has done more on behalf of justice and equality than former Speaker and, perhaps soon to be Speaker again, Nancy Pelosi. (Applause.) Export-Import Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg is here.
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We’ve got Secretary of the Army, Eric Fanning is in the house. Let me first of all - let me acknowledge some outstanding public servants who are here. THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! (Applause.) Hello, hello, hello! (Applause.) Good to see you.