PRINTER'S NO. 2090
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
414
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY FRANKEL, SIMS, DONATUCCI, DEAN, HENNESSEY, BOYLE,
WARREN, J. HARRIS, ROZZI, D. COSTA, CRUZ, SCHLOSSBERG,
BULLOCK, DAVIS, STURLA, KINSEY, READSHAW, SCHWEYER, CHARLTON,
PETRI, DALEY, DRISCOLL, BIZZARRO, HILL-EVANS, RABB, SOLOMON,
DERMODY, PASHINSKI, D. MILLER, BRIGGS, O'BRIEN, RAVENSTAHL,
CALTAGIRONE, McCARTER, FITZGERALD AND FABRIZIO, JUNE 21, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 21, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of June 2017 as "LGBT Pride Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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 and transgender (LGBT)
Pennsylvanians and their allies have had significant roles in
the economic, cultural, spiritual and political development of
this Commonwealth while working tirelessly to maintain and
promote culture and history; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has been the site of many pivotal
moments in LGBT history; and
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WHEREAS, The activism that has been vital for promoting
tolerance and acceptance of the LGBT community has flourished in
this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, In May 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 towards LGBT individuals at Dewey's lunch counter
in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, This event has been recognized as the first LGBT
sit-in in the nation and one of the first demonstrations
launched with the goal of protecting the dignity of LGBT
individuals; and
WHEREAS, The Annual Reminder marches held in front of the
Liberty Bell on Independence Day from 1965 through 1969 drew
national attention to the LGBT community's struggle for liberty
and equality; and
WHEREAS, Initiatives in keeping with the Dewey's lunch
counter and Annual Reminder demonstrations have generated
greater inclusion among LGBT Americans in their respective
communities; and
WHEREAS, Commonwealth agencies and officers have
traditionally been on the forefront of LGBT 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 LGBT equality;
and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Governor Shapp established the Pennsylvania
Council for Sexual Minorities, the first governmental body in
the nation to examine LGBT issues; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Governor Richard Thornburgh became the
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first Republican governor in the nation to issue a Statewide
resolution recognizing LGBT equality; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians remain committed to advancing LGBT
inclusion and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to Philadelphia Gay News,
the oldest continually published magazine devoted to LGBT
issues; and
WHEREAS, The John C. Anderson Apartments in Philadelphia, one
of the nation's first affordable LGBT elder housing facilities,
and the Persad Center in Pittsburgh, the second oldest licensed
counseling center serving the LGBT community and people living
with HIV, offer additional resources; and
WHEREAS, The month of June is recognized worldwide as "LGBT
Pride Month" to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York
City, considered to be a turning point in the fight for global
LGBT equality; and
WHEREAS, "LGBT Pride Month" highlights the work, struggles,
accomplishments and challenges of LGBT individuals in this
Commonwealth and beyond; and
WHEREAS, As a celebration of diversity, "LGBT Pride Month"
reflects our State'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; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of June 2017 as "LGBT Pride Month" in Pennsylvania.
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