Text of PA SR 131 (2023)

PRINTER'S NO. 882 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RESOLUTION No. 131 Session of 2023 INTRODUCED BY STREET, CAPPELLETTI, SAVAL, HAYWOOD, SCHWANK, BREWSTER, KEARNEY, HUGHES, FONTANA, COMITTA, KANE, SANTARSIERO AND TARTAGLIONE, JUNE 14, 2023 REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JUNE 14, 2023 A RESOLUTION Recognizing the month of June 2023 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania in celebration of past, present and future LGBTQ+ accomplishments and contributions to this Commonwealth and in commemoration of the 54th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn demonstrations. WHEREAS, This Commonwealth was founded on the principles of fairness and tolerance; and WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians have repeatedly shown a strong belief in the principles of fairness and tolerance with service defending their principles in wars and in debates, demonstrations and countless other acts of democracy; and WHEREAS, Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) Pennsylvanians and their allies play a significant role in this Commonwealth's economic, cultural, spiritual and political development, while working tirelessly to maintain and promote their culture and history; and WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has been the site of many pivotal moments in LGBTQ+ history and has been the location of activism vital to the growing tolerance and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 community; and WHEREAS, In May 1965, borrowing a strategy made famous by the African-American civil rights movement of the time, a group of gender-variant individuals of color organized a sit-in to protest discrimination toward LGBTQ+ individuals at Dewey's restaurant lunch counter in Philadelphia, recognized as one of the first demonstrations launched with the goal of protecting the dignity of LGBTQ+ people; and WHEREAS, The "Annual Reminders" protests held in front of the Liberty Bell, which occurred every Independence Day between 1965 and 1969, drew national attention to the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for liberty and equality; and WHEREAS, Dewey's restaurant lunch counter and "Annual Reminders" demonstrations, in conjunction with other activities across the United States, greatly contributed toward the growing acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ Americans into their respective communities; and WHEREAS, The State government has traditionally been on the forefront of LGBTQ+ recognition, regardless of which political party was in control; and WHEREAS, The Honorable Milton Shapp, former Governor of Pennsylvania, founded the Council for Sexual Minorities, which was the first governmental body in the nation to examine the needs and issues of the LGBTQ+ community; and WHEREAS, In 1975, Governor Shapp issued the first Statewide executive order in the nation recognizing LGBTQ+ equality; and WHEREAS, Governor Shapp's successor, the Honorable Richard Thornburgh, became the first Republican in the nation to issue a Statewide proclamation recognizing LGBTQ+ equality in 1979; and WHEREAS, This Commonwealth remains committed to promoting 20230SR0131PN0882 - 2 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 LGBTQ+ inclusion and quality of life, as the home of the oldest continually published magazine devoted to LGBTQ+ issues, the Philadelphia Gay News, and the nation's second most affordable LGBTQ+ elder housing complex, the John C. Anderson Apartments; and WHEREAS, The month of June is recognized worldwide as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month," in recognition of the Stonewall Inn demonstrations in New York City which took place 54 years ago on June 28, 1969, and is widely credited as a catalyst for the national civil rights movement for the LGBTQ+ community; and WHEREAS, On this 54th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn demonstrations we remember how on June 28, 1969, the New York City Police Department began conducting a targeted routine raid of the establishment, which was known to welcome LGBTQ+ community members; and WHEREAS, An uprising began against the oppressive police forces seeking to infringe upon LGBTQ+ community members' immutable civil rights, with patrons, activists and community members conducting a protest which lasted several days; and WHEREAS, Within the following years the Gay Liberation Front and Gay Activists Alliance were created, and in 1970, the first gay pride parades were held across the United States in New York, San Francisco and Chicago, in commemoration of the anniversary of the protests and as a celebration of equality and empowerment within the movement; and WHEREAS, "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" highlights the work, struggles, accomplishments and challenges of LGBTQ+ people in this Commonwealth and beyond; and WHEREAS, This celebration of diversity fits perfectly within the long and unique story of this Commonwealth and our nation's 20230SR0131PN0882 - 3 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 constant quest for the equal treatment of all residents; and WHEREAS, "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" celebrations contribute to a welcoming atmosphere and add greatly to the social and economic health and well-being of this Commonwealth; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of June 2023 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania in celebration of LGBTQ+ accomplishments and contributions to this Commonwealth as we commemorate the 54th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn demonstrations and make a strong recommitment to fight for LGBTQ+ equality. 20230SR0131PN0882 - 4 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10