PRINTER'S NO. 1379
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
89
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY SANTARSIERO, KEARNEY, HUGHES, MUTH, CAPPELLETTI
AND KANE, FEBRUARY 7, 2022
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, FEBRUARY 7, 2022
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 15, 2022, as "Love is Love Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Each year, February 14, Valentine's Day is
celebrated and receives a great deal of media attention with
couples and loved ones proclaiming their love for each other;
and
WHEREAS, Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer or questioning, asexual and other sexual
minorities (LGBTQ+) are often excluded from mainstream media
coverage of Valentine's Day; and
WHEREAS, Being an adolescent during a time when those around
you are expressing their love for each other can be
overwhelming, especially if you do not see examples you identify
with; and
WHEREAS, Twenty-six percent of LGBTQ+ youths say their
biggest problems are not being accepted by their family, trouble
at school and fear to be out or open; and
WHEREAS, Consequently, it is crucial for residents of this
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Commonwealth to offer love to LGBTQ+ youths and become their
allies; and
WHEREAS, The manner in which parents and guardians engage
with their LGBTQ+ youths can have a tremendous impact on their
current and future mental and physical health; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ students describe how hearing slurs, lacking
resources relevant to their experience, being discouraged from
having same-sex relationships and being regularly misgendered
have made school a hostile environment; and
WHEREAS, LBGTQ+ students describe persistent patterns of
isolation, exclusion and marginalization that make them feel
unsafe or unwelcome at school; and
WHEREAS, Supporting and accepting LGBTQ+ youths around you,
especially during a time when love is being celebrated, can
often help these youths better deal with life challenges and how
they are feeling; and
WHEREAS, In order to continue to promote the health and
safety of LGBTQ+ youths, schools and programs where youths spend
most of their time should advance the message of respecting
those different from you and prohibit bullying, harassment and
violence against those who identify as LGBTQ+; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 73% of LGBTQ+ youths say that they are
more honest about themselves online than in the real world,
making it urgent that more communities in this Commonwealth
offer support to LGBTQ+ youths around them; and
WHEREAS, Encouraging families and allies to facilitate access
to community-based providers who have experience providing
health services, including medical testing and counseling,
social and psychological services to LGBTQ+ youths is extremely
beneficial; and
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WHEREAS, Accepting LGBTQ+ youths in our communities and in
society at large helps remind those who we care about that love
is love regardless of how they identify; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize February 15, 2022, as
"Love is Love Day" in Pennsylvania.
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