PRINTER'S NO. 965

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No.

137

Session of

2021

INTRODUCED BY STREET, KANE, KEARNEY, SANTARSIERO, COLLETT,

HUGHES, BOSCOLA, SAVAL, COMITTA, FONTANA, MUTH, HAYWOOD,

BROWNE, BARTOLOTTA, CAPPELLETTI, COSTA, SCAVELLO AND

and in commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall

Inn demonstrations.

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth was founded on the principles of

fairness and tolerance; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians have repeatedly shown a strong belief

in the principles of fairness and tolerance with service

defending their principles in wars and in debates,

demonstrations and countless other acts of democracy; and

WHEREAS, Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+)

Pennsylvanians and their allies play a significant role in this

community; and

WHEREAS, In May 1965, borrowing a strategy made famous by the

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

gender-variant individuals of color organized a sit-in to

protest discrimination toward LGBTQ+ individuals at Dewey's

restaurant lunch counter in Philadelphia, recognized as one of

the first demonstrations launched with the goal of protecting

the dignity of LGBTQ+ people; and

WHEREAS, The "Annual Reminders" protests held in front of the

Liberty Bell, which occurred every Independence Day between 1965

respective communities; and

WHEREAS, The State government has traditionally been on the

forefront of LGBTQ+ recognition, regardless of which political

party was in control; and

WHEREAS, The Honorable Milton Shapp, former Governor of

Pennsylvania, founded the Council for Sexual Minorities, which

was the first governmental body in the nation to examine the

needs and issues of the LGBTQ+ community; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Governor Shapp issued the first Statewide

executive order in the nation recognizing LGBTQ+ equality; and

LGBTQ+ inclusion and quality of life, as the home of the oldest

continually published magazine devoted to LGBTQ+ issues, the

Philadelphia Gay News, and the nation's second most affordable

LGBTQ+ elder housing complex, the John C. Anderson Apartments;

and

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

Pride Month," in recognition of the Stonewall Inn demonstrations

in New York City which took place 52 years ago on June 28, 1969,

and is widely credited as a catalyst for the national civil

rights movement for the LGBTQ+ community; and

forces seeking to infringe upon LGBTQ+ community members'

immutable civil rights, with patrons, activists and community

members conducting a protest which lasted several days; and

WHEREAS, Within the following years the Gay Liberation Front

and Gay Activists Alliance were created, and in 1970, the first

gay pride parades were held across the United States in New

York, San Francisco and Chicago, in commemoration of the

anniversary of the protests and as a celebration of equality and

empowerment within the movement; and

WHEREAS, "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" highlights the work, struggles,

constant quest for the equal treatment of all residents; and

WHEREAS, "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" celebrations contribute to a

welcoming atmosphere and add greatly to the social and economic

health and well-being of this Commonwealth; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of June 2021 as

"LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania in celebration of LGBTQ+

accomplishments and contributions to this Commonwealth as we

commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Inn

demonstrations and make a strong recommitment to fight for

LGBTQ+ equality.