Senate Resolution No. 49

Introduced by Senators Leno, Galgiani, and Lara

June 3, 2014

Senate Resolution No. 49—Relative to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month.

WHEREAS, Our great state and nation consistently and
diligently strive to promote the egalitarian principles of equality
and justice where all people have inalienable rights, including life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, California’s and America’s diversity is one of our
greatest strengths; and

WHEREAS, To achieve a just and fair society, we must teach
our children to respect one another, to appreciate our differences,
and to recognize the common good in all of us; and

WHEREAS, Our great state protects its residents from
discrimination and harassment based on actual or perceived race,
ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or
mental ability, medical condition, sex, including gender identity
or expression, or sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
have made important and lasting contributions to our great state
and nation in every field of endeavor, including, but not limited
to, business, medicine, law, humanities, science, literature, politics,
education, music, philanthropy, sports and athletics, arts, and
culture, that enrich our national life; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
come from all walks of life, regardless of race, ethnicity, color,
religion, ancestry, national origin, economic status, physical or
mental ability, medical condition, sex, or gender identity or
expression; and

WHEREAS, For the first time in the history of the United States,
a sitting President and Vice President, President Barack Obama
and Vice President Joe Biden, affirmed their support for the
fundamental right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation or
gender. Former Vice President Dick Cheney and former First Lady
Laura Bush have also affirmed their support for marriage equality;
and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States struck
down the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, which barred
the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and
restored marriage equality to California, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Married same-sex couples now enjoy the same
rights and privileges granted to other married couples, including
joint tax filings, military benefits, family and medical leave, and
the ability to sponsor their foreign spouse; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Defense repealed “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell,” allowing servicemen and women to serve their country
openly and proudly; and

WHEREAS, More lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
are being elected to public offices across the country, playing in
professional sports leagues, occupying the highest positions in
business, and serving as role models for all; and

WHEREAS, While our great state and nation have progressed
in our journey toward dignity, understanding, and mutual respect
for all, we still have a long way to go in eradicating the prejudice
and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
people and their families encounter, and to this end, we continue
working for the passage of the inclusive federal Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), comprehensive immigration
reform, and increased awareness of the difficulties facing the
transgender community; and

WHEREAS, To build a stronger and better state and nation, we
must continue to help advance the cause of equality for all people;
and

WHEREAS, Friends and allies of the LGBT community have
shown considerable support and commitment to the struggles of
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people at home and abroad;
and

WHEREAS, Each year, June marks the anniversary of the
Stonewall Rebellion that gave birth to the modern lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender civil rights movement; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has proclaimed June as
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month and
reaffirmed his administration’s goal of eliminating prejudice
everywhere it exists and celebrating the great diversity of the
American people; and

WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans,
their families and friends, and all those committed to justice and
equality celebrate, during the month of June, the rich culture, the
notable achievements, and the outstanding services that lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans make to our great state
and nation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
proclaims June 2014 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) Pride Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the
culture, accomplishments, and contributions of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people, and encourages the people of
California to work to help advance the cause of equality for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the Members of the Legislature and to the author
for appropriate distribution.