Sing Along Sunday: "Don't Rain on My Parade" For Gay Pride Month
From President Obama:
Presidential Proclamation--
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month June 2010
Last year, I wrote to President Obama in May and suggested that he issue a proclamation for LGBT Pride month similar to those that President Clinton had issued, but that were rescinded by George W. Bush as "unnecessary". President Obama did, and he included every single point I suggested in my request and more in that Proclamation. The president has issued another LGBT Pride Month Proclamation for this June. Here it is. Happy LGBT Pride Month to everyone!
Get out and celebrate! "Don't Rain on My Parade", Break out the Rainbows! -Tommy
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 28, 2010
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2010
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.
LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us -- the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance -- we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.
My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life-saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.
In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.
Much work remains to fulfill our Nation's promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.
As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
More:
Don't Rain on My Parade
"Don't Rain On My Parade" is a popular song from the 1964 musical Funny Girl. It was also featured in the 1968 movie version of the musical. The song was written by Bob Merrill and Jule Styne. Both the movie and stage versions feature Barbra Streisand performing the song. It has since become one of her signature tunes. Streisand has sung this song live on many occasions, including during her highly successful comeback tour Barbra Streisand: The Concert Tour (1993-1994), Timeless Live In Concert Tour (1999-2000) and the recent Streisand: The Tour (2006-2007). The instrumental of this song can be heard during the Overture of the stage show, the film and on Streisand's 2006-2007 Tour.
Reprise version
There is a reprise version of this song with alternate lyrics which served as the finale for the stage show. This number was cut from the film. Streisand sang this version live for the first time since her run in the original Broadway production as an encore during her 2006/07 Tour.
Cover Versions
The song was covered by many artists, among the notable ones are Bobby Darin in 1966, by Japan in 1978 and by Only Men Aloud! in 2008. The Darin version was used in the film American Beauty and the trailer for Catch Me If You Can. Robin Williams also sang this song while dressed as Streisand during a scene from Mrs. Doubtfire. LaToya London sang the song on the third season of American Idol. Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland also sang this song live. Lois Griffin sang parts of this song on Family Guy. It was also used in the BBC sitcom Beautiful People. The song was performed by Connie and Carla (Toni Collette and Nia Vardalos) in the movie Connie and Carla. It was also performed by Lea Michele in the 2009 fall finale of the Fox TV show Glee in the episode "Sectionals". Tony Award Winner Idina Menzel also sings this song in the Kennedy Honors concert dedicated for original singer Barbra Streisand.The Dorothys on Over the Rainbow, the tv show in which Andrew Lloyd Webber chooses a Dorothy for the west end production, also sing this song as a group number.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don't_Rain_on_My_Parade
The Lyrics
Don't Rain On My Parade
Don't tell me not to live
just sit and putter,
Life's candy and the sun's
a ball of butter,
Don't bring around a cloud
to rain on my parade.
Don't tell me not to fly,
I've simply got to
If someone takes a spill
It's me and not you.
who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade?
I'll march my band out,
I'll beat my drum,
And if I'm fanned out,
Your turn at bat, sir.
At least I didn't fake it.
Hat, sir, I guess I didn't make it!
But whether I'm the rose
Of sheer perfection,
Or freckle on the nose
Of life's complexion,
The cinder or the shiny apple of its eye.
I gotta fly once,
I gotta try once,
Only can die once, right, sir?
Ooh, love is juicy,
Juicy, and you'll see
I gotta have my bite, sir!
Get ready for me, love,
'Cause I'm a "comer,"
I simply gotta march,
My heart's a drummer.
Don't bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade!
I'm gonna live and live now,
Get what I want--I know how,
One roll for the whole shebang,
One throw, that bell will go clang,
Eye on the target--and wham--
One shot, one gun shot, and bam--
Hey, Mister Arnstein, here I am!
I'll march my band out,
I'll beat my drum,
And if I'm fanned out,
Your turn at bat, sir,
At least I didn't fake it.
Hat, sir? I guess I didn't make it.
Get ready for me, love,
'Cause I'm a "comer,"
I simply gotta march,
My heart's a drummer.
Nobody, no nobody is gonna rain on my parade!
Click These Links, Sing and March Along:
Glee - Don't Rain on my Parade (Lyrics)
"DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE" - from "Funny Girl"'
Barbra Streisand - Don't Rain On My Parade (1975)
Barbra Streisand - I'm Still Here-Don't rain on my parade 1994
Going To Fire Island Pines, Cast of Glee Soundtrack
Don't Rain on my Fabulous New York City Gay Pride Parade 2008 (We got wet, but it was great fun!)
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
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