2023 Senate Resolution 60

Whereas, Pride began in 1970 with the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a multi-day protest that is credited by many for starting the modern-day LGBTQ+ movement. In 1969, LGBTQ+ individuals, led by the efforts of Black and Brown trans women such as activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, risked their lives to protest the over-policing and injustice that threatened their existence on a daily basis, and elevated the visibility of the movement to a national scale; and

Whereas, The LGBTQ+ community has persevered through tragedies and struggles, such as the government’s insufficient and delayed response to assisting those with HIV/AIDS and the ongoing effort to protect the rights and ensure the safety of the LGBTQ+ community; and

Whereas, The movement has also celebrated victories of recognition, especially the historic Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015 which recognized marriage equality nationwide, the Bostock v. Clayton County decision in 2020 that upheld federal employment protections for the LGBTQ+ community, and Rouch World v. Department of Civil Rights in 2022 that affirmed LGBTQ+ protections are included in Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act; and

Whereas, After a fifty year legislative effort, the Michigan House and Senate in its 102nd Legislature, at long last, added sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected classes in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which was signed into law as Public Act 6 of 2023; and

Whereas, Still today, LGBTQ+ individuals, especially a disproportionate number of trans women of color, continue to be a target of harassment, violence, and discrimination, yet through community support and solidarity continue to celebrate love, authentic living, and self-acceptance; and

Whereas, Michigan stands out in this watershed moment as a state that embraces equality because our communities benefit from diversity and variety in viewpoints, talents, and cultural perspectives of its residents and from preserving the freedom, worth, and dignity of those in the LGBTQ+ community; and

Whereas, Michigan should expend all efforts to attract and retain talent and signal to the nation we are welcoming to all those who wish to contribute to the economic vitality of our state; and

Whereas, The people of Michigan understand, appreciate, and value the cultural, civic, and economic contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the larger success of the state, and commit to the learning, humility, and work necessary to make the state fair, safe, equitable, and a refuge of stability regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression; and

Whereas, June is recognized and celebrated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month throughout the country and worldwide; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize June 2023 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Pride Month.