WHEREAS, Our great state and nation strives to promote the principles of equality and justice and the inalienable rights of all people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, Californias and Americas diversity is one of our greatest strengths; and

WHEREAS, To achieve a more just and fair society, we must teach our children to respect one another, to appreciate our differences, and to recognize the common good in all of us; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people come from all walks of life, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, economic status, physical or mental ability, medical condition, sex, or gender identity or expression; and

WHEREAS, More lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are being elected to public offices across the country, playing in professional sports leagues, occupying the highest positions in business and government, and serving as role models for all; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have made important and lasting contributions to our great state and nation in every field of endeavor, including, but not limited to, business, medicine, law, humanities, science, literature, politics, education, music, philanthropy, sports and athletics, arts, and culture, that enrich our national life; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, for the first time in the history of the United States, a sitting President, former President Barack Obama, affirmed support for the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation or gender; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, affirming that all loving and committed couples who are married deserve equal treatment and respect; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Proposition 8 sponsors had no standing to appeal the federal trial courts decision that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, thereby restoring marriage equality in California; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States has found a constitutional basis for marriage equality, granting millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals across the country the ability to marry people whom they love; and

WHEREAS, Married same-sex couples now enjoy the same rights and privileges granted to other married couples, including joint tax filings, military benefits, family and medical leave, and the ability to sponsor a foreign spouse; and

WHEREAS, The transgender community in particular, has gained newfound prominence in the media, entertainment, sports, and business, raising awareness about gender identity and the obstacles this community continues to face; and

WHEREAS, While our great state and nation have progressed in our journey toward dignity, understanding, and mutual respect for all, we still have a long way to go in eradicating the prejudice and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families encounter, and to this end, we continue working for the passage of the federal Equality Act, federal Do No Harm Act, federal REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act, federal Every Child Deserves a Family Act, federal Health Equity and Accountability Act, comprehensive immigration reform, and increased awareness of the difficulties facing the transgender community; and

WHEREAS, Friends and allies of the LGBT community have shown considerable support and commitment to the struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, To build a stronger and better state and nation, we must continue to help advance the cause of equality for all people; and

WHEREAS, Each year, June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that gave birth to the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights movement; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, their families and friends, and all those committed to justice and equality celebrate, during the month of June, the rich culture, the notable achievements, and the outstanding services that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans make to our great state and nation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims June 2018 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and encourages the people of California to work to help advance the cause of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Members of the Legislature and to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Our great state and nation strives to promote the principles of equality and justice and the inalienable rights of all people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, Californias and Americas diversity is one of our greatest strengths; and

WHEREAS, To achieve a more just and fair society, we must teach our children to respect one another, to appreciate our differences, and to recognize the common good in all of us; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people come from all walks of life, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, economic status, physical or mental ability, medical condition, sex, or gender identity or expression; and

WHEREAS, More lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are being elected to public offices across the country, playing in professional sports leagues, occupying the highest positions in business and government, and serving as role models for all; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have made important and lasting contributions to our great state and nation in every field of endeavor, including, but not limited to, business, medicine, law, humanities, science, literature, politics, education, music, philanthropy, sports and athletics, arts, and culture, that enrich our national life; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, for the first time in the history of the United States, a sitting President, former President Barack Obama, affirmed support for the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation or gender; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, affirming that all loving and committed couples who are married deserve equal treatment and respect; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Proposition 8 sponsors had no standing to appeal the federal trial courts decision that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, thereby restoring marriage equality in California; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States has found a constitutional basis for marriage equality, granting millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals across the country the ability to marry people whom they love; and

WHEREAS, Married same-sex couples now enjoy the same rights and privileges granted to other married couples, including joint tax filings, military benefits, family and medical leave, and the ability to sponsor a foreign spouse; and

WHEREAS, The transgender community in particular, has gained newfound prominence in the media, entertainment, sports, and business, raising awareness about gender identity and the obstacles this community continues to face; and

WHEREAS, While our great state and nation have progressed in our journey toward dignity, understanding, and mutual respect for all, we still have a long way to go in eradicating the prejudice and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families encounter, and to this end, we continue working for the passage of the federal Equality Act, federal Do No Harm Act, federal REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act, federal Every Child Deserves a Family Act, federal Health Equity and Accountability Act, comprehensive immigration reform, and increased awareness of the difficulties facing the transgender community; and

WHEREAS, Friends and allies of the LGBT community have shown considerable support and commitment to the struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, To build a stronger and better state and nation, we must continue to help advance the cause of equality for all people; and

WHEREAS, Each year, June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that gave birth to the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights movement; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, their families and friends, and all those committed to justice and equality celebrate, during the month of June, the rich culture, the notable achievements, and the outstanding services that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans make to our great state and nation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims June 2018 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and encourages the people of California to work to help advance the cause of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Members of the Legislature and to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SR 111

Author: Lara (D), Atkins (D), Galgiani (D), and Wiener (D)

Introduced: 5/15/18

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims June 2018 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and encourages the people of California to work to help advance the cause of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. California’s and America’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths. To achieve a more just and fair society, we must teach our children to respect one another, to appreciate our differences, and to recognize the common good in all of us.
2. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people come from all walks of life, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, economic status, physical or mental ability, medical condition, sex, or gender identity or expression.
3. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have made important and lasting contributions to our great state and nation in every field of endeavor, including, but not limited to, business, medicine, law, humanities, science, literature, politics, education, music, philanthropy, sports and athletics, arts, and culture, that enrich our national life.
4. The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, affirming that all loving and committed couples who are married deserve equal treatment and respect. The Supreme Court of the United States has found a constitutional basis for marriage equality, granting millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals across the country the ability to marry people whom they love.
5. The transgender community in particular, has gained newfound prominence in the media, entertainment, sports, and business, raising awareness about gender identity and the obstacles this community continues to face.
6. To build a stronger and better state and nation, we must continue to help advance the cause of equality for all people. Each year, June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that gave birth to the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights movement.
7. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, their families and friends, and all those committed to justice and equality celebrate, during the month of June, the rich culture, the notable achievements, and the outstanding services that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans make to our great state and nation.

This resolution proclaims June 2018 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and encourages the people of California to work to help advance the cause of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families.

Comments

According to the author,

The month of June was chosen for LGBT Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969.The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of this commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions to our state and country that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society, culture, and our economy. LGBT Americans also mobilized the United States to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and have played a vital role in broadening this country’s response to the global HIV pandemic.

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 2969 (Low, 2018) requires the Governor annually to proclaim the month of June as LGBT Pride Month. This bill is currently in the Senate.

SR 33 (Lara, 2015) proclaimed June 2015 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and encouraged the people of California to work to help advance the cause of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families. This resolution was adopted by the Senate.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/23/18)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/23/18)

None received

Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520

5/24/18 11:20:23

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