2023 -- H 6471

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LC003115

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND CELEBRATING JUNE OF 2023, AS "GAY PRIDE MONTH" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kislak,
Carson, Boylan, Henries, Cardillo, Caldwell, and Perez

     Date Introduced: June 01, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island celebrates the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) + community in June of 2023, by honoring the history,

struggles and successes of the LGBTQIA + community and by supporting peace and prosperity

for all; and

     WHEREAS, In 1949, the Rhode Island General Assembly established the State

Commission for Human Rights with the understanding that "[t]he practice or policy of

discrimination against individuals...is a matter of state concern", and that "discrimination foments

public strife and unrest, threatens the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the state, and

undermines the foundations of a free democratic state". R.I.G.L. Section 28-5-2; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights is one of the oldest state

agencies in the country that specializes in antidiscrimination law enforcement; and

     WHEREAS, The Commission enforces all Rhode Island antidiscrimination laws in the

areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and delivery of services; and

     WHEREAS, Our federal government, through the Civil Rights Acts of 1968 and 1991

identified only seven protected categories that are secured from discrimination, to include: race,

color, sex, disability, ancestral origin, religion and age; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island State statutes prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex

(including pregnancy and sexual harassment), disability, ancestral origin, religion, age, sexual

orientation, and gender identity/expression; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

since 1995, and on the basis of gender identity or expression since 2001 in employment, credit,

housing and public accommodations; and

     WHEREAS, Lesbian and gay Rhode Islanders organized their first PrideFest in 1976

with approximately 75 people in attendance. Called the "76ers," these individuals marched

through downtown Providence despite State and City leaders attempting to block the parade.

They sought to celebrate their diversity, and to highlight the contributions they had made to the

wider community; and

     WHEREAS, On June 25, 1978, Gilbert Baker, an Army veteran from Kansas, designed

the rainbow flag as a symbol for the gay liberation movement, which flies during the annual

Rhode Island Pride Parade. Each color of the flag has a meaning: hot pink for sexuality, red for

life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise blue for art, indigo for

harmony, and violet for spirit; and

     WHEREAS, "Don't ask, don't tell" was the official United States policy on military

service of non-heterosexual people, instituted during the Clinton administration. The policy was

in effect from February 28, 1994, until September 20, 2011; and

     WHEREAS, Between World War II and the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in

2011, an estimated 100,000 service members were less-than-honorably discharged due to their

sexual orientation. While this ill-conceived policy — which forced gay service members to keep

their sexual orientation hidden — was repealed in 2011, no countermeasure was created to amend

the discharge status for those who received less than an "honorable" characterization due to their

sexuality. In 2018, Rhode Island's General Assembly passed a "Restore the Honor Bill" which

helped gay and transgender veterans receive their state and local benefits; and

     WHEREAS, On November 20, 1999, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a well-known advocate for

trans rights, created the first Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorating all the trans

people who were killed by anti-transgender violence and bigotry; and

     WHEREAS, The Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in

2001. Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage following a ruling by

the State's highest court in 2003. Rhode Island legalized same-sex marriage on August 1, 2013. In

2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled all state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional,

allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry nationwide; and

     WHEREAS, After dramatically boosting the attendance and community involvement in

gay pride, in 2018, PrideFest led to Providence being listed as one of the "World's Best

Destinations for LGBT Pride Celebrations" by National Geographic; and

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     WHEREAS, While COVID-19 cancelled most public gatherings, in June of 2020,

hundreds of people marched through the City of Providence in support of gay and transgender

people of color. The event "Resistance and Resilience Rally: Trans Black Lives Matter" was

organized by Rhode Island Pride; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

celebrates June of 2023, as "Gay Pride Month" and embraces the LGBTQIA+ community with

appreciation for their culture, creativity and contributions; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House will hereby continue to respect ALL our residents and

work to ensure equity and justice as a hallmark of Rhode Island legislation; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rhode Island Pride.

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LC003115

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