R 357

2019 -- S 0964 Enacted 06/11/2019

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING AND COMMEMORATING PRIDE MONTH IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Bell, Murray, Valverde, and Felag

Date Introduced: June 11, 2019

WHEREAS, Annually, June is the month chosen to celebrate "Pride," a time for the

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) communities and

all Americans to reflect on the struggles and injustices endured by LGBTQIA communities. It is a

month to take pride in the progress that has been made since the fateful Stonewall Riots in 1969,

in Greenwich Village, New York, which were in response to rampant discrimination by police

and a legal system that was hostile to the LGBTQIA community; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQIA people still experience harassment and discrimination based on

their sexual orientation and gender identity locally, nationally and internationally. At times, they

are still subject to being physically beaten and abused, and treated like outcasts or criminals; and

WHEREAS, Although much progress has been made, including, but not limited to,

gaining civil rights protections in Rhode Island in 1995 and 2001, winning the right to marry in

Rhode Island in 2013 and nationally in 2015, more progress needs to be made; and

WHEREAS, "Pride" is a time to celebrate the right to live authentically and to be proud

of "who you are" instead of ashamed by a social stigma that was, and unfortunately still is, a

reality in our society; and

WHEREAS, In order to form a more perfect union, America was founded on the

principles of equality and "liberty and justice" for all, but for too long, since our nation's

founding, LGBTQIA Americans have been denied those precious rights and freedoms that were

supposed to be granted to all; and

WHEREAS, In this month of June, the LGBTQIA communities will be celebrating

notions of love, equality, understanding, respect, acceptance, and peace; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby joyously celebrates and commemorates Pride Month in the State of Rhode Island; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of

the United States, the Honorable Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, and

the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

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LC002817

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