Text of NJ AR 138 (2024)

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 138 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 221st LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED MAY 10, 2024 Sponsored by: Assemblywoman LUANNE M. PETERPAUL District 11 (Monmouth) Assemblywoman GARNET R. HALL District 28 (Essex and Union) Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT District 29 (Essex and Hudson) SYNOPSIS Designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced. An Assembly Resolution designating June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. Whereas, New Jersey is committed to embracing the value and dignity of each person who resides in this State, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation; and Whereas, Individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and non-binary (LGBTQIA+) continue to make valuable contributions to every aspect of life in New Jersey, including academics, architecture, art, business, culture, economic development, education, fashion, film, government, health, law, music, politics, research, science, sports, and technology; and Whereas, Pride Month was first formally recognized by the federal government on June 11, 1999 by President Clinton, recognizing June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." On June 1, 2009, President Barack H. Obama declared June "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month." On May 31, 2023 President Biden issued a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month; and Whereas, LGBTQIA+ individuals have historically been persecuted by discriminatory laws and policies that denied access to rights, programs, benefits, and services otherwise guaranteed to the general population; and Whereas, It is commonly accepted that the protests that occurred outside the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969 following a police raid represented the turning point in the movement for LGBTQIA+ civil rights; and Whereas, In the succeeding decades, generations of LGBTQIA+ individuals have worked tirelessly to achieve lasting gains in LGBTQIA+ equality at the local, state, and federal levels, including gaining the right to marriage equality and the corresponding spousal benefits, establishing laws guaranteeing equality in housing and employment, securing equality in access to education and health care, winning the right to serve openly in the Armed Forces, and pushing for other gains in equality at all levels of society; and Whereas, Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are disproportionately affected by violence and hate crimes; and Whereas, The Human Rights Campaign issued a National State of Emergency on June 6, 2023, citing an unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LBGTQIA+ legislative actions across the United States; and Whereas, The Human Rights Campaign and the American Civil Liberties Union are currently tracking over 400 state bills that attack the LGBTQIA+ community in regards to healthcare access, free speech and expression, and the weakening of civil rights; and Whereas, The mere introduction of such legislation legitimizes and amplifies anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and violence and has a significant impact on LGBTQIA+ youth; and Whereas, Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. LGBTQIA+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers; and Whereas, According to the Trevor Project, 60 percent of LGBTQIA+ young people report that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lifetime; and Whereas, New Jersey state law addresses discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community and will continue to be committed to the equality, dignity, and safety of the LGBTQIA+ community; and Whereas, June has long been celebrated in many places worldwide as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, in recognition of both the gains in LGBTQIA+ equality that have been realized since June 1969, as well as in recognition of the ongoing struggle to advance civil, societal, and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community; and Whereas, Moreover, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is a celebration of visibility and acknowledges the contributions LGBTQIA+ individuals have made and continue to make to strengthen the fabric of American society, as well as a celebration of authenticity, acceptance, inclusion, and love; and Whereas, It is therefore appropriate to designate June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey, in recognition of the achievements, contributions, struggles, and humanity of LGBTQIA+ individuals; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. June 2024 is designated as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. Public officials and the citizens of this State are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with appropriate activities. STATEMENT This Assembly resolution designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey, in recognition of the achievements, contributions, struggles, and humanity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary, and pansexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Public officials and citizens of New Jersey are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2024 with appropriate activities.