HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 135 Draft 01 2020-2022A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JUNE AS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, INTERSEX, AND ASEXUAL PRIDE MONTH IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I .
WHEREAS, gender identity and sexual orientation do not fall within a dichotomy of “choice” but are rather expressed as a spectrum of human identity and love for one another; and
WHEREAS, in June 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, a courageous group of citizens resisted harassment and mistreatment, setting in motion a chain of events that would become
known as the Stonewall Uprising and the birth of the modern gay and lesbian civil rights movement; and
WHEREAS, gays and lesbians, their families, and friends celebrate the anniversary of Stonewall every June in America as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual
(LGBTQIA) Pride Month; and
WHEREAS, Hawai‘i County has a thriving LGBTQIA community, sustaining and sustained by so many welcoming organizations, places of worship, businesses, neighborhoods, schools, events,
and more; and
WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians had recognized “māhū” as “the third gender” and accepted diversity of gender and sexual identity before the introduction of missionaries’ ideological influences;
and
WHEREAS, throughout much of the history of the United States, same-sex relationships were criminalized in many states and many LGBTQIA people were forced to hide their identities, thus
living in secrecy and fear; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies indicate the inequities experienced by the LGBTQIA community, including poverty, homelessness, school harassment, physical assault, domestic violence, hate
crimes, mental health issues, and substance abuse concerns; and
WHEREAS, despite being marginalized, LGBTQIA people continue to celebrate their identities, love, diversity, and contributions in various expressions of Pride; and
WHEREAS, there are localized efforts to support the LGBTQIA community including tools and resources that foster acceptance, understanding, respect, and wellness; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawai‘i recognizes the experiences, sacrifices, and struggles of the LGBTQIA community for equality and justice throughout history and in modern times, and proclaims
itself as an ally of support; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that the County of Hawai‘i recognizes every June as “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual Pride Month”
and supports the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of LGBTQIA people.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council recognizes LGBTQIA rights as human rights, which are Constitutionally protected, and fully supports efforts to ensure equal treatment of all people,
regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all individuals are encouraged to partake in events that celebrate the progress of the LGBTQIA community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Council encourages the Mayor to direct that the rainbow flag be raised and flown at the Hawai‘i County Building and West Hawai‘i Civic Center on
each business day of June 1 through June 30 of each year to show support for the LGBTQIA community.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor; Ikaika Rodenhurst, Director, Department of Public Works;
and Beverly Tese, President, Hawai‘i Island LGBTQ Pride.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
KIMBALL
ATTEST:
LEE LOY
RICHARDS
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.