Trump Again Refuses to Recognize LGBT Pride Month, but State Department Is Celebrating It

For the second year running, President Donald Trump's White House has refused to acknowledge LGBT Pride Month, which runs for the whole of June.

In a break with the tradition of the previous president, in 2017 Trump failed to recognize June as LGBT Pride Month, instead issuing five separate proclamations at the end of May choosing to honor Caribbean-American heritage, African-American music, homeownership, the outdoors and the ocean in June.

And this year, he issued the same proclamations, once again leaving out LGBT Pride.

He follows in the footsteps of the George W. Bush, who also did not recognize June as LGBT Pride month. Both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton did choose to celebrate Pride.

Trump's decision not to issue a statement about Pride Month, or issue any proclamations recognizing the month that celebrates the LGBT community have not gone unnoticed, with a number of LGBT people and allies taking to social media to slam the president for once again shunning the celebration.

"For the second straight year, Donald Trump refuses to recognize June as #PrideMonth and for the second straight year most of us in the LGBTQ community refuse to recognize Donald Trump as our president," one tweeted, while another added: "Reminder that Trump and the White House didn't recognize Pride month in any way in 2017. I'm sure 2018 will be no different."

Unlike the White House, the State Department did break with what appears to be Trump's official line on the topic and issued a statement for Pride, The Hill reported.

"LGBTI persons—like all persons—must be free to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, without fear of reprisal," secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

"As Americans, we place a high value on these rights and freedoms, which all persons deserve to enjoy fully and equally. The United States stands firmly with you as you exercise your human rights and fundamental freedoms. We wish you a safe and happy Pride Month," he added.

In 2017, there remained questions over whether the president would at any point in June mention the LGBT community or the significance of the month. He did not. It appears that 2018 is unlikely to be any different.