Bill No. 22-26 Substitute Resolution Recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month

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SUBSTITUTE BILL NO. 22-26 SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO. A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL AS LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH Filed in Clerk's Office FJUN 0 ti 2022 ^DAWN1-b .JONES Whereas, the South Bend Common Council encourages diversity and inclusion within our community; and Whereas, June 28, 2021, marks the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City, which sparked the gay rights movement, and is the nationwide month to recognize the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) communities, which is inclusive of diverse identities not specifically represented by the acronym; and Whereas, celebrating Pride Month raises awareness and provides support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ communities, and is an opportunity to become educated, engage in dialogue, strengthen alliances and build understanding; and Whereas, while there has been remarkable progress towards acceptance and equality, members of the LGBTQ+ community continue to face discrimination, intolerance, and hate; and Whereas, examples of how far our society still needs grow in understanding in order to establish true equality can be found in the more than one hundred bills in thirty-three states proposed in 2021 aimed to curb the rights of transgender people across the country, and including the Indiana General Assembly's override of Governor Holcomb's veto of HEA 1041 which prohibits transgender participation in interscholastic athletics; and Whereas, we must commit to supporting and accepting LGBTQ+ individuals, in particular our youths, who compared to their peers are far more likely to experience violence and bullying at school suffer from depression, struggle with substance use; and attempt suicide; and Whereas, the Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 42% of LGBTQ youths between ages 13 and 24 seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, while LGBTQ youth living in communities accepting of LGBTQ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide than those who do not; and Whereas, we must remain vigilant in deterring all oppression and discrimination against people on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation, including legislative restrictions and outright bans on gender -affirming care because such restrictions will discourage access to mental health professionals and physicians; and Whereas, by protecting the rights of every individual, we enhance and strengthen the value of everyone throughout our entire society; and Whereas, we affirm our support for LGBTQ+ residents in our community and stand with them to protect their civil rights and their ability to live openly, equally and without fear.