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 hous...
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