[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH 2023

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LUCY McBATH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2023

  Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, it is a joy to celebrate Pride 2023. Each 
June, LGBTQ+ Americans show pride for their community by celebrating 
the accomplishments and contributions of those throughout history and 
commemorating their long tight for dignity and equality in this 
country.
  Over the course of many decades, LGBTQ+ Americans have secured 
significant gains in their efforts to live freely and authentically as 
their true selves. While we celebrate these gains, we must never forget 
the history of Pride and why we celebrate in June. June 28, 1969, 
marked the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising, when LGBTQ+ Americans 
fought back against discriminatory raids at the Stonewall Inn in New 
York City. Activists including Marsha P. Johnson were on the frontlines 
of this rebellion and took a righteous stand against the 
criminalization of homosexuality. The events of the Stonewall Uprising 
represented a seismic shift in the way Americans thought about LGBTQ+ 
activism. The first Pride march was celebrated one year later on June 
28, 1970.
  Inspired by the righteous stand taken by Johnson and fellow 
activists, LGBTQ+ Americans have spoken out about the dangerous 
repercussions of homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of hate. 
Despite tremendous progress in the years since Stonewall, acts of 
bigotry and discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community have 
claimed the lives of gay and lesbian Americans, and violence has been 
particularly devastating to transgender women of color. It is 
imperative that while we celebrate Pride, we continue to stand strong 
in the fight for the rights of all Americans in the face of intolerance 
and hatred. No American should fear expressing their true identity and 
living as their authentic self.
  Here in Georgia, we are lucky to be served and represented by our own 
LGBTQ+ history makers at many levels of government. Sam Park, who 
represents Georgia House District 107 in Lawrenceville, made history as 
the first openly gay man elected to the Georgia State House in 2016. 
Everton Blair, a Gwinnett County native who represents District 4 on 
the Gwinnett County Board of Education, became the board's first openly 
gay member in 2018, as well as the first person of color elected to the 
Gwinnett County school board. Gwinnett County District 2 Commissioner 
Ben Ku also made history in 2018 as the first LGBTQ+ commissioner 
elected in Gwinnett County. I am proud that the elected officials that 
I work with back home are such an important part of Georgia's LGBTQ+ 
history.
  Since coming to Congress, it has been my honor to work with, learn 
from, and represent members of the LGBTQ+ community. As we celebrate 
Pride Month 2023, may we look back with reverence on the sacrifices 
made by activists and leaders who came before us, and march forward 
with joy and optimism for a future built on the progress of the many 
contributions of everyday LGBTQ+ Americans. This month and always, I am 
happy to celebrate Pride alongside them and continue the fight for 
dignity and equality for all.

                          ____________________