Title
Resolution Declaring June Pride Month in the City of Ann Arbor
Body
Whereas, Ann Arbor is committed to fostering a diverse and welcoming community and ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and granted the freedom from discrimination or harm;
Whereas, Ann Arbor’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) residents are part of the diverse economic and cultural fabric of our community;
Whereas, Pride month is about celebration of who we are as a community and as diverse individuals, recognition of those who have led the fight for LGBTQ rights in the face of prejudice and violence, and acknowledgement of the continued work ahead to increase access to equality and justice for all;
Whereas, Ann Arbor residents have a long history in the fight for equal rights, from local activist Jim Toy leading the way as the first Michigan man to publicly come out as gay, Ann Arbor City Council being the first in the United States to issue a gay pride proclamation, and the University of Michigan establishing the first-ever on-campus Human Sexuality Office;
Whereas, Washtenaw County has been a champion in electing LGBTQ leaders, electing Kathy Kozachenko as the first openly gay or lesbian candidate to run successfully for political office in the United States, Chris Kolb as the first openly gay member of the Michigan Legislature, Carol Kuhnke as the first openly lesbian judge elected in Michigan and first openly gay chief judge of the Washtenaw County Trial Court, Amanda Edmonds as Ypsilanti’s first lesbian mayor, Jason Morgan as the first openly gay Washtenaw County Commissioner and Board Chair, and most recently, Katie Scott as the first openly lesbian Washtenaw County Commissioner;
Whereas, while Ann Arbor has a rich history of supporting equality through the passage of local non-discrimination ordinances, there still exists no state or federal anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ individuals from being fired, denied housing or refused service;
Whereas, Discrimination impedes Ann Arbor and the State of Michigan’s ability to attract and retain talented, hardworking, passionate people and by extension economic growth and prosperity;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council proclaims June as Pride Month and encourages everyone to stand against discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, and to promote self-affirmation, dignity and equality, and to continue to work toward building a community that promotes diversity, liberty and justice for all; and
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council calls on the Michigan Legislature to pass legislation to expand the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, education, housing and the use of public accommodations and public service.
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor and Councilmembers Ackerman, Grand, and Eaton