[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 212 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 212

            Recognizing June 2017 as ``LGBTQ Pride Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 29, 2017

 Mr. Brown (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Franken, 
  Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Booker, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. 
  Coons, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Harris, Mr. Heinrich, Ms. 
  Hassan, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Merkley, Mrs. 
Murray, Mr. Peters, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Udall, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Wyden, 
 Ms. Warren, Mr. Casey, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Reed, Mr. Murphy, 
 Mr. Van Hollen, and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following resolution; 
          which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
            Recognizing June 2017 as ``LGBTQ Pride Month''.

Whereas individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer 
        (referred to in this preamble as ``LGBTQ'') include individuals from all 
        States and the District of Columbia and all faiths, races, national 
        origins, socioeconomic statuses, education levels, and political 
        beliefs;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States have made, and continue to make, vital 
        contributions to the United States and to the world in every aspect, 
        including in the fields of education, law, health, business, science, 
        research, economic development, architecture, fashion, sports, 
        government, music, film, technology, literature, civil rights, and 
        politics;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States serve as law enforcement officers, 
        firefighters, and first responders in all States and the District of 
        Columbia;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States serve, and have served, the United 
        States Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, honorably and 
        with distinction and bravery;
Whereas an estimated number of more than 100,000 brave men and women were 
        discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States between the 
        beginning of World War II and 2011 because of their sexual orientation, 
        including the discharge of more than 13,000 men and women under the 
        ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy in place between 1994 and 2011;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States serve, and have served, in positions 
        in the Federal Government and State and local governments, including as 
        Members of Congress, governors, mayors, and city council members;
Whereas, throughout much of the history of the United States, same-sex 
        relationships were criminalized in many States and many LGBTQ people in 
        the United States were forced to hide their LGBTQ identities while 
        living in secrecy and fear;
Whereas, on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in 
        Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584, that same-sex couples have a 
        constitutional right to marry and acknowledged that ``many same-sex 
        couples provide loving and nurturing homes to their children,'' and that 
        laws prohibiting same-sex-marriage ``harm and humiliate the children of 
        same-sex couples'';
Whereas Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (referred to in this preamble as 
        ``AIDS'') has disproportionately impacted LGBTQ people in the United 
        States partly caused by a lack of funding and research devoted to 
        finding effective treatment for AIDS and the Human Immunodeficiency 
        Virus (referred to in this preamble as ``HIV'') during the early stages 
        of the HIV and AIDS epidemic;
Whereas gay and bisexual men and transgender women of color have a higher risk 
        of contracting HIV;
Whereas the LGBTQ community has maintained its unwavering commitment to ending 
        the HIV and AIDS epidemic;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States face disparities in employment, 
        healthcare, education, and many other areas central to the pursuit of 
        happiness in the United States;
Whereas 31 States have no explicit ban on discrimination based on sexual 
        orientation and gender identity in the workplace, housing, or public 
        accommodations, and 36 States have no explicit ban on discrimination 
        against LGBTQ individuals in education;
Whereas LGBTQ youth are at increased risk of suicide, homelessness, and becoming 
        victims of bullying and violence;
Whereas the LGBTQ community has faced discrimination, inequality, and violence 
        throughout the history of the United States;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States, in particular transgender 
        individuals, face a disproportionately high risk of becoming victims of 
        violent hate crimes;
Whereas members of the LGBTQ community have been targeted in acts of mass 
        violence, including--

    (1) the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016, 
where 49 people were killed; and

    (2) the arson attack at the UpStairs Lounge in New Orleans, Louisiana, 
on June 24, 1973, where 32 people died;

Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States face persecution and violence in many 
        parts of the world, including State-sponsored violence;
Whereas, in 2017 alone, hundreds of LGBTQ people around the world have been 
        arrested in countries and territories such as Chechnya, Indonesia, and 
        Bangladesh;
Whereas the LGBTQ community has gathered in some of the most dangerous places in 
        the world to hold Pride festivals and marches, despite threats of 
        violence or arrest;
Whereas, in 2009, President Barack Obama signed the ``Matthew Shepard and James 
        Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act'' (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 
        2835) into law to protect all people in the United States from crimes 
        motivated by the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender 
        identity of an individual;
Whereas the demonstrators that protested on June 28, 1969, following a law 
        enforcement raid of the Stonewall Inn, an LGBTQ club in New York City, 
        are pioneers of the LGBTQ movement for equality;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States have fought for equal treatment, 
        dignity, and respect;
Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States have achieved significant milestones, 
        ensuring that future generations of LGBTQ people in the United States 
        will enjoy a more equal and just society;
Whereas, despite being marginalized throughout the history of the United States, 
        LGBTQ people in the United States continue to celebrate their 
        identities, love, and contributions to the United States in various 
        expressions of Pride; and
Whereas the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the United States continues to expand 
        every day and LGBTQ people in the United States remain determined to 
        pursue equality, respect, and inclusion for all individuals regardless 
        of sexual orientation or gender identity: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of 
        lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (referred to in 
        this resolving clause as ``LGBTQ'') people in the United States 
        and around the world;
            (2) acknowledges that LGBTQ rights are human rights that 
        are to be protected by the United States Constitution and 
        numerous international treaties and conventions;
            (3) commits to ensuring the equal treatment of all people 
        in the United States, regardless of sexual orientation and 
        gender identity;
            (4) commits to ensuring that the United States remains a 
        beacon of hope for the equal treatment of people around the 
        world, including LGBTQ individuals; and
            (5) encourages the celebration of June as ``LGBTQ Pride 
        Month'' in order to provide a lasting opportunity for all 
        people in the United States to learn about the discrimination 
        and inequality that the LGBTQ community endured, and continues 
        to endure, and to celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ 
        community throughout the history of the United States.
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