WHEREAS, Our great state and nation strives to promote the principles of equality and justice and the inalienable rights of all people to 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 more 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, 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, 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 government, and serving as role models for all; 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, In 2012, for the first time in the history of the United States, a sitting President, former President Barack Obama, affirmed support for the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation or gender; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, affirming that all loving and committed couples who are married deserve equal treatment and respect; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Proposition 8 sponsors had no standing to appeal the federal trial court’s decision that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, thereby restoring marriage equality in California; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States has found a constitutional basis for marriage equality, granting millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals across the country the ability to marry people whom they love; 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 a foreign spouse; and

WHEREAS, The transgender community in particular, has gained newfound prominence in the media, entertainment, sports, and business, raising awareness about gender identity and the obstacles this community continues to face; 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, 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, To build a stronger and better state and nation, we must continue to help advance the cause of equality for all people; 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, 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