And as an unapologetically Black trans person, I am bursting at the seam proud of the first Black POTUS being a staunch ally when it comes to trans issues.
Just 24 hours after he mentions the trans community in his remarks to the Howard University Class of 2016, in his 2016 Presidential Mother's Day Proclamation he recognizes the existence of trans mothers.
Guess some peeps at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have been reading TransGriot when it comes to this issue.
Here's the proclamation.
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MOTHER'S DAY, 2016
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
On Mother's Day, we celebrate those who are the first to welcome us into the world. Performing the most important work there is, mothers -- biological, foster, or adoptive -- are our first role models and earliest motivators. They balance enormous responsibilities and shape who we become as adults, their lessons guiding us throughout life. Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, mothers have always moved our Nation forward and remained steadfast in their pursuit of a better and brighter future for their children.
Caring and loving without condition, even in our darkest moments, mothers put the interests of their kids ahead of their own. They are inspiring embodiments of strength and determined drivers of progress, and through their example, our youth learn the values of grace, empathy, and kindness. For generations, mothers have led the charge toward a freer, more inclusive country -- embracing the task of ensuring our Nation upholds its highest ideals so that they, and America's daughters, know the same opportunities as America's fathers and sons.
Our country's mothers deserve our unwavering support -- at home, in the workplace, and throughout our communities. I am committed to empowering working mothers so they do not have to choose between caring for their family and earning their paycheck, and I will continue fighting to ensure those who choose to become mothers are not financially punished for doing so. My Administration has pushed to expand child care and strengthen paid leave, including maternity leave. We will also keep working to close the gender pay gap -- a disparity that is contrary to our values as Americans, limits the scope of mothers' futures, and affects those they provide for. And earlier this year, we launched an effort to help low-income mothers and families afford diapers -- a basic necessity for babies -- by bringing together online retailers, diaper manufacturers, and nonprofits to reduce the high cost of diapers.
Each of us is the son or daughter of a mother. Today, let us pay these extraordinary women the admiration and respect they deserve. And each day, let us thank them for all they have done for us, remember those whose spirits remain with us, and support those who take on the awesome mantle of motherhood.
The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday in May each year as "Mother's Day" and requested the President to call for its appropriate observance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 8, 2016, as Mother's Day. I urge all Americans to express love and gratitude to mothers everywhere, and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA
Thank you Mr. President for recognizing the existence of trans mothers. As for why this is a BFD to the American trans community, it's important and it matters in a time when the Republican Party and the conservative movement is trying to turn our existence into an election year political wedge issue.
"When I had my first son, I kept hearing that I was going to fail my
son due to my sexual orientation," says NBJC Leadership Advisory Council
Member Kamora Herrington. "I'm currently raising my second son, a
15-month old, and I can now say with confidence that Black lesbian moms
raise amazing sons."
We salute our lesbian, bisexual and trans mothers. Women like Alice
Walker, June Jordan, and Miss Major are all mothers who dared to raise
their children in spite of the oppression they encountered. These women
challenged stereotypical notions of what it means to be a provider and
expanded the narrative around motherhood. In our community,
motherhood is not just having children, but it is also a matter of
providing a space for our youth to find safety, support and love.
"The Mother in the House Ball culture plays an integral part in the
lives of LGBT people who often times have been disinherited from their
biological families based solely on their gender identity or sexual
orientation," says Icon Mother Ayana Christian of Royal House of
Christian. "I have had the privilege and honor of nurturing the spirit
and souls of so many adolescents and young adults over the last 14
years. The most amazing thing about it for me is knowing that, despite
the fact that I have not birthed them from my own womb, their lives have
my distinct imprint of motherhood."
The National Black Justice Coalition believes that the celebration of
motherhood should be more than a symbolic gesture. That is why we are
committed to supporting legislation that strengthens Black families. We
are proud to support the 