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COUNTY OF HAWAII •�STATE OF HAWAII
<br />tf Of
<br />RESOLUTION NO. 13S 21
<br />A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JUNE AS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL,
<br />TRANSGENDER, QUEER, INTERSEX, AND ASEXUAL PRIDE MONTH IN THE
<br />COUNTY OF HAWAII.
<br />WHEREAS, gender identity and sexual orientation do not fall within a dichotomy of
<br />"choice" but are rather expressed as a spectrum of human identity and love for one another; and
<br />WHEREAS, in June 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, a courageous group
<br />of citizens resisted harassment and mistreatment, setting in motion a chain of events that would
<br />become known as the Stonewall Uprising and the birth of the modern gay and lesbian civil rights
<br />movement; and
<br />WHEREAS, gays and lesbians, their families, and friends celebrate the anniversary of
<br />Stonewall every June in America as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and
<br />Asexual (LGBTQIA) Pride Month; and
<br />WHEREAS, Hawaii County has a thriving LGBTQIA community, sustaining and
<br />sustained by so many welcoming organizations, places of worship, businesses, neighborhoods,
<br />schools, events, and more; and
<br />WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians had recognized "mahu" as "the third gender" and
<br />accepted diversity of gender and sexual identity before the introduction of missionaries'
<br />ideological influences; and
<br />WHEREAS, throughout much of the history of the United States, same-sex relationships
<br />were criminalized in many states and many LGBTQIA people were forced to hide their
<br />identities, thus living in secrecy and fear; and
<br />WHEREAS, numerous studies indicate the inequities experienced by the LGBTQIA
<br />community, including poverty, homelessness, school harassment, physical assault, domestic
<br />violence, hate crimes, mental health issues, and substance abuse concerns; and
<br />WHEREAS, despite being marginalized, LGBTQIA people continue to celebrate their
<br />identities, love, diversity, and contributions in various expressions of Pride; and
<br />WHEREAS, there are localized efforts to support the LGBTQIA community including
<br />tools and resources that foster acceptance, understanding, respect, and wellness; and
<br />WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii recognizes the experiences, sacrifices, and struggles
<br />of the LGBTQIA community for equality and justice throughout history and in modern times,
<br />and proclaims itself as an ally of support; now, therefore,
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