DMO Resolution Supporting the LGBT Community and Celebrating Pride Month 2021
WHEREAS, the 2015 Obergefell v Hodges Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage was a baseline for LGBT rights and not a finish line; and
WHEREAS, municipalities have often led on LGBT rights, including the prohibition of so called “conversion therapy” and establishment of anti-discrimination ordinances; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 the City of Philadelphia unveiled a new pride flag to recognize LGBT people of color, who often face unique perils as marginalized people; and
WHEREAS, the Human Rights Campaign publishes an annual Municipal Equality Index to further the work of local government in securing LGBT rights; and
WHEREAS, the first Pride was a reaction against police violence, and the LGBT community still faces heightened risk of discrimination from law enforcement and the legal system; and
WHEREAS, the “gay panic” defense for murder is still legal in 38 states; and
WHEREAS, state legislatures have introduced more than 100 anti-trans bills in 2021 alone; and
WHEREAS, these bills include bans from youth sports, prohibit using gender affirming facilities, and enact a duty for teachers to report instances of gender non-conformity, and
WHEREAS, more than half of trans teens report seriously considering suicide, and
WHEREAS, gender affirming care for trans youth dramatically reduces the risk of suicide, and
WHEREAS, the medical establishment’s consensus is that trans youth should receive gender affirming care;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Democratic Municipal Officials celebrates Pride Month 2021, acknowledges the work municipalities have achieved in furthering LGBT rights, and recognizes the important work that still needs to be done.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, municipalities should ban the harmful practice of so called “conversion therapy”.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, wherever possible, municipalities should pass legislation promoting gender affirming care and enable trans youth to use the spaces that correspond to their identity.