NEW YORK – Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD – the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, released the following statement after President Trump refused to acknowledge June as LGBTQ Pride Month by presidential proclamation, remaining silent the entire month and breaking an eight-year tradition set by former President Barack Obama.

“President Trump tried to gaslight LGBTQ Americans during his campaign, but it was an empty charade that opened the door for his administration to try and systematically erase us from the fabric of this nation. President Trump’s refusal to acknowledge Pride Month is a continuation of his anti-LGBTQ agenda, but Pride reminds us that we are strongest when we are loud and visible. LGBTQ Americans and the countless leaders in faith, business, and all areas of our culture who recognized Pride over the past few weeks will continue to resist until full respect and acceptance are given to all.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: TIMELINE OF CALLING OUT PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR SILENCE ON PRIDE MONTH

• 6.02.17: GLAAD sent a press release including a statement from GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis calling out the Trump Administration for his negligence in not issuing a Pride Proclamation: “While the Trump Administration tries to systematically erase LGBTQ people and families from the fabric of this nation, LGBTQ Americans and allies must do what we know best this Pride month – stay visible and march for acceptance.”
• 6.02.17: Sarah Kate Ellis and countless others responded to Ivanka Trump on Twitter for her weak attempt to save face via tweets mentioning Pride month.
• 6.06.17: GLAAD condemned Donald Trump for addressing anti-LGBTQ leaders in Washington, D.C.  
• 6.11.17: Sarah Kate Ellis called out Trump for refusing to acknowledge Pride Month on the stage at the National Equality March in D.C.
• 6.11.17: GLAAD called on Fox News to ask Ivanka Trump why her father has refused to issue a proclamation.
• 6.16.17: Sarah Kate Ellis called out President Trump’s silence on LGBTQ Pride Month at the NYC Pride Rally.
• 6.26:17: GLAAD responded to Hillary Clinton for tweeting her support and called out President Trump for remaining silent.
• 6.26.17: Newsweek covered GLAAD’s continued pressure on the Trump Administration to acknowledge LGBTQ Pride Month.
• 6.28.17: Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO speaks to Daily Beast about Donald Trump’s silence and what it represents: “If President Trump goes until July 1 without mentioning Pride Month, Ellis says that “it sends a continuation of the message that he’s been sending since January which is that we’re not valued, that we’re not important, that we don’t exist, and that he and the administration that he’s put in place will do everything to roll back and unwind any progress that we’ve been able to achieve as a community.”

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