A Proclamation.

Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord two thou sand and twelve, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United State s, containing, the following, to wit: "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand and thir teen, all persons, by their own admission, deemed as Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, or Transgendered within any State or designated part of a State, these people wher eof shall not be in any way discriminated against, persecuted, physically abused , or treated in any way disrespectful or demeaning, than any other citizen of th ese United States, and shall be, thenceforward, and unconditionally free with al l rights, privileges, and the Executive Government of the United States, includ ing the law enforcement and legal authorities thereof, will recognize and mainta in the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such perso ns, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom. "That the Executive branch will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by procl amation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people t hereof, respectively, shall then bestow upon such citizens full and equal rights afforded all other citizens; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof , shall on that day be, in good faith, treated equally and fairly, as any law ab iding citizen would expect, and shall, in the absence of strong and reasonable t estimony, be deemed as equal under the laws of God and country, as declared by t he forefathers." Now, therefore I, Barack H. Obama, President of the United States, by virtue of the power vested in me, do publicly proclaim that from this day forward, that th ese words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are created equal, and that they are endowed by their government with certain unalienable Rights, that among these a re Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This liberty and happiness shall extend to all laws that give rights and responsibilities to all adult people, es pecially those united in a committed relationship." This I do order and designate as these United States seek to heal that which div ides us and, instead, strengthen to unify, if we are to remain a free and prospe rous nation. As we have been taught to believe, God is our only judge, so let not our federal government, no state government, no locality, city, or community, restrict or h inder the rights of any citizen, solely on the basis of fear or ignorance. It is this fear and ignorance that has, for too long now, treated so many as second c lass citizens with fewer or no rights at all, which is contrary to all this nati on was founded on and still declares as a shining example to the world. And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declar e that all persons held to discrimination, persecution, or punishments, especial ly as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity within these Unite d States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be declared free to p ursue equally any and all rights and privileges so given to all of it s citizens wit hout restrictions; and that the Executive government of the United States, inclu ding law enforcement and legal authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared as emancipated this day, to do a ll that is asked of all of our citizens; to heed the laws of the United States o f America, honor and defend it s Constitution, and assist in ending the discriminati on in all areas of this nation. We are all one nation, one people, one United S tates of America.

And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, w ill be received into the armed service of the United States, perform government service, and contribute to the country as a whole to preserve, protect, and defe nd, The Constitution of The United States of America. And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon civil and social necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Unite d States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lo rd two thousand and thirteen, and of The United States of America. By the President: BARACK H. OBAMA HILLARY R. CLINTON, Secretary of State.