Text of WI SJR 51 (2024)

LRB-3144/1 CMH:klm 2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE 2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 51 June 7, 2023 - Introduced by Senators CARPENTER, SPREITZER, AGARD, HESSELBEIN, L. JOHNSON, LARSON, PFAFF, ROYS, SMITH, TAYLOR and WIRCH, cosponsored by Representatives CABRERA, SNODGRASS, NEUBAUER, C. ANDERSON, J. ANDERSON, ANDRACA, BALDEH, BARE, BILLINGS, CLANCY, CONLEY, CONSIDINE, DRAKE, EMERSON, GOYKE, HAYWOOD, HONG, JOERS, MADISON, MOORE OMOKUNDE, MYERS, OHNSTAD, ORTIZ-VELEZ, PALMERI, RATCLIFF, SHANKLAND, SHELTON, SINICKI, SUBECK, VINING, STUBBS and S. JOHNSON. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization. ***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE*** Relating to: recognizing June 2023 as LGBTQ Pride Month. Whereas, Wisconsin has a committed history of being at the forefront of supporting equality for all its citizens; and Whereas, in February 1982, Wisconsin made history when Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus signed the nation's first state law protecting lesbians and gay people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations; and Whereas, in the intervening years, tremendous advancements have been made with respect to equitable treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) people both in Wisconsin and throughout the nation; and Whereas, Wisconsin elected the first openly LGBTQ member of the U.S. Senate, and the Wisconsin state legislature has six openly LGBTQ members; and Whereas, in June 2014, same-sex couples were legally able to marry in Wisconsin, and the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the equal right to marriage for same-sex couples in all 50 states in June 2015; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 - 2 - LRB-3144/1 CMH:klm 2023 - 2024 Legislature Whereas, despite these advances, LGBTQ people continue to face discrimination, and LGBTQ youth continue to be at increased risk for bullying, substance abuse, depression, homelessness, and suicide; and Whereas, June has become a symbolic month in which LGBTQ people and their allies have come together in various celebrations of pride; and Whereas, recognizing Pride Month will help foster an atmosphere of inclusion, acceptance, and celebration to the community; and Whereas, LGBTQ individuals, along with their families, friends, and neighbors, will be honoring Pride Month in their communities across the state, including Appleton, Door County, Eau Claire, Hudson, Janesville, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Racine, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Stoughton, Viroqua, and Wausau, to name only a few; and Whereas, the month-long celebration is an opportunity for all people in the state to affirm their commitment to mutual respect and understanding; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature recognizes June 2023 as LGBTQ Pride Month. (END) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18