[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 104 (Thursday, June 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 744--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF JUNE 
                     28, 2024, AS ``STONEWALL DAY''

  Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Welch, Mr. Fetterman, 
Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Coons, 
Ms. Warren, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Booker, 
Mr. Schumer, Mr. Hickenlooper, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Casey, Mr. Bennet, 
Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Whitehouse) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 744

       Whereas, on June 28, 1969, a police raid at Stonewall Inn 
     sparked a days-long community protest that brought the long 
     and ongoing fight for the equality, rights, and freedoms of 
     individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, 
     queer, intersex, and asexual (referred to in this resolution 
     as ``LGBTQIA+'') to national attention;
       Whereas the United States recognizes the impact of the 
     Stonewall Inn riots (commonly referred to as the ``Stonewall 
     Rebellion'' or ``Stonewall Uprising'') and its significance 
     in LGBTQIA+ history and the fight for equality;
       Whereas, on June 28, 1970, the first Pride marches took 
     place in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles to commemorate 
     the 1-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and 
     demonstrate for equal rights;
       Whereas Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Storme 
     DeLarverie, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy were key leaders in 
     the Stonewall Uprising, and the LGBTQIA+ movement has greatly 
     benefitted from their contributions;
       Whereas LGBTQIA+ people and their allies have worked 
     together for more than 60 years to make progress towards 
     achieving full equality for all people in the United States, 
     regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, 
     gender expression, or sex characteristics;
       Whereas LGBTQIA+ individuals still face discriminatory 
     policies, barriers to critical government services, and 
     disregard for their equitable rights across the United States 
     in the realms of affirming health care, employment, 
     education, housing, immigration, and the justice system;
       Whereas transgender people and LGBTQIA+ people of color are 
     disproportionately burdened by such barriers, including by 
     facing increased violence and discrimination;
       Whereas millions of LGBTQIA+ people--especially LGBTQIA+ 
     youth and transgender individuals--still lack consistent 
     legal protection against discrimination in key areas of life 
     as a result of existing gaps in Federal and State civil 
     rights laws;
       Whereas, on June 24, 2016, the Stonewall National Monument 
     was established as the 412th unit of the National Park 
     System, making it the first in the country dedicated to 
     LGBTQIA+ equality;
       Whereas, on June 28, 2024, the Stonewall National Monument 
     Visitor Center will open at 51 Christopher Street, the 
     location of the Stonewall Uprising, for the purpose of 
     celebrating and honoring the legacy of the Stonewall 
     Rebellion and the birth of the modern LGBTQIA+ civil rights 
     movement;
       Whereas Pride Live is a nonprofit organization committed to 
     raising awareness and support for the LGBTIQA+ community and 
     preserving and advancing equality;
       Whereas Pride Live has worked with the LBGTQIA+ community 
     to establish Stonewall Day and the Stonewall National 
     Monument Visitor Center, which honor the legacy of the 
     Stonewall Rebellion and celebrate the progress made by the 
     LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement;
       Whereas the Members of the 118th Congress support the 
     rights and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals and recognize 
     the need to dismantle State-sanctioned and government-funded 
     discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people; and
       Whereas June 28, 2024, would be an appropriate date to 
     designate as ``Stonewall Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the equal rights and protections of all 
     people, including LGBTQIA+ people;
       (2) recognizes the significance of the Stonewall Uprising 
     and its historic role in the equal rights movement for 
     LGBTQIA+ people;
       (3) supports the designation of June 28, 2024, as 
     ``Stonewall Day'';
       (4) acknowledges that Pride Live will operate the Stonewall 
     National Monument Visitor Center as a place where people can 
     learn about and connect with the LGBTQIA+ community's ongoing 
     struggle for civil rights and liberties; and
       (5) encourages the celebration of ``Stonewall Day'' to 
     commemorate the significance of the grand opening of the 
     Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center and the long and 
     ongoing fight for equality.

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