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RESOLUTION NO: 7 ? 6 s-o 3
<br />
<br />BY: Corrigan, Dever, Dunn, FitzGerald,
<br /> George, Roth.
<br />
<br /> A RESOLUTION to proclaim June 2003 as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
<br />transgender) Pride Month in Lakewood, Ohio, thereby recognizing the LGBT community
<br />for its many and varied contributions that have enriched our civic life, to celebrate the
<br />progress we have made in creating a society more inclusive and accepting of the LGBT
<br />community, and to affirm our continued efforts to break down the walls of fear and
<br />prejudice and work to build a bridge to understanding and tolerance, until the members of
<br />the LGBT community are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans.
<br />
<br /> WitEREAS, June 28, 2003 marks the 34th anniversary of the Stonewall
<br />Rebellion in New York City's Greenwich Village, commonly regarded as the advent of
<br />the modem civil rights movement for the LGBT commtmity, which united all those
<br />committed to justice and equality in a crusade to outlaw discriminatory laws and
<br />practices and to protect the LGBT community from prejudice and persecution; and
<br />
<br /> WItEREAS, much has been accomplished over the last generation to promote
<br />equality and justice, as society and our laws reflect the recognition that diversity and
<br />tolerance is strength in a progressive culture, yet many challenges still remain, as
<br />prejudice against members of the LGBT community can still erupt into acts of hatred,
<br />violence and discrimination; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, "LGBT Pride Month" recognizes the significant and lasting
<br />contributions that LGBT Americans have made throughout our nation's history, and in an
<br />effort to further build and strengthen our community, we must move beyond merely
<br />'~olerating" the LGBT community as "strangers among friends"--as noted by civil rights
<br />leader David Mixnet, but instead value them as our colleagues and neighbors, daughters
<br />and sons, sisters and brothers, friends and partners; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, The 15th Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival will be held on
<br />Saturday, June 21, 2003, which is one of the most visible and significant annual LGBT
<br />community events in the Midwest; and
<br />
<br /> WItEREAS, the work of AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, BlackOut
<br />Unlimited, Cleveland Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Tram Pride, Gay Lesbian Straight Education
<br />Network (GLSEN), Gay People's Chronicle, Lesbian/Gay Community Service Center of
<br />Greater Cleveland, Northern Ohio Coalition Inc., Parents and Friends of Lesbians and
<br />Gays (PFLAG), and many other area LGBT groups is important for the solidarity and
<br />visibility of Greater Cleveland's LGBT community; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, Lakewood is proud and honored to recogrdze Greater Cleveland's
<br />LGBT community on this 34th anniversary of LGBT Pride Month, and 15th anniversary
<br />of the Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival; and
<br />
<br /> WltEREAS, Lakewood is committed to the equal rights for aH Americans; now,
<br />therefore:
<br />
<br />BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, STATE OF OHIO:
<br />
<br /> Section 1. That this Council, for itself and on behalf of all the citizens of this
<br />community, proclaims June 2003 as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)
<br />Pride Month in Lakewood, Ohio, thereby recognizing the LGBT community for its many
<br />and varied contributions that have enriched our civic life, to celebrate the progress we
<br />have made in creating a society more inclusive and accepting of the LGBT community,
<br />and to affirm our continued efforts to break down the walls of fear and prejudice and
<br />work to build a bridge to undemanding and tolerance, until the members of the LGBT
<br />community are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans.
<br />
<br /> Section 2. That the LGBT Pride Flag, in recognition of Lakewood's LGBT
<br />Community.and to honor LBGT Pride Month and 15th anniversary of the Cleveland
<br />
<br />
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