WHEREAS, Our great state and nation 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, color, religion, ancestry, ethnicity, 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, 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, color, religion, ancestry, ethnicity, 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, More lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are being elected to public offices across the country; 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 call for the passage of the inclusive federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and comprehensive immigration reform; 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, Our friends and allies have shown considerable support and commitment to the struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 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, 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 to celebrate 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 2013 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.