[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2012

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and pride that I rise 
today to recognize the significance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. The purpose of this honorable month is 
to recognize the vast influence lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 
men and women have had not only on our nation's history, but on local 
and international levels as well.
  Today, we regard LGBT Pride Month as an opportunity to pay tribute to 
the 1969 Stonewall riots, a major tipping point for the Gay Liberation 
Movement in the U.S. Over 40 years ago a group of New Yorkers took a 
stand against a discriminatory police raid at The Stonewall Inn, a 
popular gay bar in Manhattan.
  The spontaneous demonstrations that composed the Stonewall riots are 
commonly referred to as the first instance in American history when 
people of the LGBT community fought back against a government system of 
persecution which targeted sexual minorities. It united the gay 
community in New York in the fight against discrimination.
  Six months after the riots, three newspapers dedicated to promoting 
LGBT rights were formed: Gay, Gay Power and Come Out! Additionally, two 
gay activist organizations were founded right here in New York--the Gay 
Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance. Within a few years, 
gay rights organizations were founded in several cities across the 
nation and the world. June 28, 1970 marked the first Gay Pride marches 
in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, established to commemorate the 
anniversary of the riots.
  In honor of Stonewall, many gay pride events and celebrations are now 
held annually during the month of June throughout the world, including 
New York City's Gay Pride Week. These celebrations include pride 
parades, picnics, concerts and parties; and attract millions of global 
participants. Memorials for those LGBT members who have lost their 
lives to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS are also held during this month.
  While the fight for justice regardless of sexual orientation or 
gender identity continues to be a crucial one, we have indeed made 
significant strides. Let this month remind us of the society we all 
strive for, one in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people 
enjoy the constitutional rights of equality, personal autonomy, and 
freedom of expression. No LGBT person should experience discrimination 
in housing, employment, or public spaces. We need to continue fighting 
until everyone has the equal opportunity to participate fully in civil 
society.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in 
commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, supporting the 
ongoing fight for gay liberation, and celebrating the legacy of LGBT 
community members whose place in our Nation's history cannot be 
overlooked. LGBT Americans have strengthened our country, helped create 
awareness and garner support for equality.

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