PRINTER'S NO. 1263

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

114

Session of

2023

INTRODUCED BY BENHAM, KENYATTA, STURLA, MALAGARI, WAXMAN, KHAN,

VENKAT, HILL-EVANS, SAPPEY, SIEGEL, KINSEY, MADDEN, HANBIDGE,

SANCHEZ, PIELLI, McNEILL, SAMUELSON, FLEMING, GUENST, MERSKI,

WHEREAS, Our Commonwealth was founded on the principles of

freedom, fairness and tolerance; and

WHEREAS, Through military service, in debates and

demonstrations, at the polls and in countless other acts of

democracy, Pennsylvanians have consistently defended these

principles; and

WHEREAS, Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer

or questioning (LGBTQ+) Pennsylvanians and their allies have had

significant roles in the economic, cultural, spiritual and

political development of this Commonwealth while working

WHEREAS, On April 25, 1965, borrowing a strategy associated

with the African-American civil rights movement, a group of

gender-variant persons of color organized a sit-in to protest

discrimination toward LGBTQ+ individuals at Dewey's lunch

counter in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, This event has been recognized as the first LGBTQ+

sit-in in the nation and one of the first demonstrations

launched with the goal of protecting the dignity of LGBTQ+

individuals; and

WHEREAS, The Annual Reminder marches held in front of the

communities; and

WHEREAS, Commonwealth agencies and officers have

traditionally been on the forefront of LGBTQ+ recognition,

regardless of which political party has been in control; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Governor Milton Shapp issued the first

Statewide resolution in the nation recognizing LGBTQ+ equality;

and

WHEREAS, In 1976, Governor Shapp established the Pennsylvania

Council for Sexual Minorities, the first governmental body in

the nation to examine LGBTQ+ issues; and

inclusion and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to Philadelphia Gay News,

the oldest continually published magazine devoted to LGBTQ+

issues; and

WHEREAS, The John C. Anderson Apartments in Philadelphia, one

of the nation's first affordable LGBTQ+ elder housing

facilities, and the Persad Center in Pittsburgh, the second

oldest licensed counseling center serving the LGBTQ+ community

and people living with HIV, offer additional resources; and

WHEREAS, The month of June is recognized worldwide as "LGBTQ+

WHEREAS, As a celebration of diversity, "LGBTQ+ Pride Month"

reflects this Commonwealth's unique history of welcoming and

securing equal treatment for all individuals and adds greatly to

the social inclusion and economic health and well-being of our

communities; and

WHEREAS, With increasing anti-LGBTQ+ hate, the House of

Representatives must show now more than ever that we stand in

solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and that they deserve to be

visible and heard; and

WHEREAS, More work needs to be done to eliminate