LGBT Heroes: Happy Pride Month, Plainfield!

This past Monday, I introduced and read the following resolution in recognition of Pride Month on behalf of the Plainfield City Council, and I want to publicly thank our Municipal Clerk, AJ, for researching and drafting the resolution! (Cross-posted on "And My Point Is" City Council blog)

Bayard Rustin

My own life has been informed and influenced by many thinkers, both LGBT and non-LGBT--in honor of Pride Month, I am including photographs of many of those LGBT individuals--some of whom were unable to live openly as LGBT folks--we should honor them, still.

COUNCILMANIC RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF 

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH 2011

 Introduced by Councilwoman Rebecca L. Williams:

             WHEREAS, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of our great city of Plainfield and of American society at large; and

James Baldwin

WHEREAS, as long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are negatively affected.  If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit; and  

Paula Gunn Allen

WHEREAS, with each passing year the American people become more receptive to diversity and more open to those who are different from themselves. Our Nation is at last realizing that LGBT citizens must no longer be "strangers among friends," and that we must finally recognize these Americans for what they are: our colleagues, neighbors, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers, friends and partners, and 

Lorraine Hansberry

WHEREAS, many challenges still lie before us. As we have witnessed from recent acts of “ugly free speech” within this Plainfield Community, prejudice against those who identify as LGBT can still erupt into acts of hatred and violence; and  

Walt Whitman

WHEREAS, this June, recognizing the joys and sorrows that the gay and lesbian movement has witnessed and the work that remains to be done, we observe Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and celebrate the progress we have made in creating a community more inclusive and accepting of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and the transgendered; now, therefore, be it

Audre Lorde

            RESOLVED, that Governing Body of the City of Plainfield stands committed and united to help break down the walls of fear and prejudice and will work to build a bridge to understanding and acceptance, until gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Governing Body of the City of Plainfield does hereby call upon its residents, employees and elected officials to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and does further encourage all to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that celebrate our diversity and recognize LGBT Americans whose many and varied contributions have enriched our civic life in Plainfield and our national life.

As adopted by the unanimous Municipal Council of the City of Plainfield

this 20 JUNE 2011

Marlon Riggs and Essex Hemphill

 I am thankful to live in a community such as Plainfield and I will continue to sing its praises. 

All best,

Rebecca

P.S. Um...I think Peppermint Patty is saying...

"Happy Pride, Marcie!"