Pride Month Observance

DOJ Pride President Marc Salans kicks off the Pride Month Observance event, highlighting the recent initiatives of DOJ Pride and introducing Attorney General Holder.

Attorney General Holder delivers remarks at the Department's Pride Month Observance event, where he welcomed guest speakers U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and award-winning recording artist Melissa Etheridge. "Especially this morning as we reflect upon the theme for today's event, "Celebrating a Year of Firsts," and await the Supreme Court's decisions later this month, on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8 cases,“ it's fitting that we pause to highlight the achievements of a few of the key leaders who have made possible so many of our recent steps forward. And it's imperative that we continue to honor the core principles€“ of inclusion, opportunity, and equal justice under law “ that must always define our nation's justice system, and must continue to drive our pursuit of a more perfect Union."

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin discusses the need for further progress in securing and protecting the rights of LGBT citizens and encouraging them to become active public servants in their communities.

Recording artist Melissa Etheridge shared her personal experiences of advocating for the LGBT community and highlighted the need to continuing to work towards achieving full equality for all Americans.

Attorney General Holder with the winners of DOJ Pride awards including the Gerald B. Roemer Community Service Award for contributions to the LGBT Community and the James R. Douglass Award to recognize individuals whose efforts have contributed positively