RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP ROBINSON, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ AND MERANTE:
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF YONKERS DECLARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2024 “LGBTQ+HISTORY MONTH” IN THE CITY OF YONKERS
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WHEREAS, LGBTQ + History Month is celebrated each October and is a month-long celebration of the history of the diverse and beautiful lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and the importance of the civil rights movements in progressing gay rights; and
WHEREAS, the observance was created by Rodney Wilson, a history teacher at a Missouri high school in 1994. The following year, LGBTQ+ History Month was added to the list of commemorative months in a resolution forwarded to the General Assembly of the National Education Association ; and
WHEREAS, October was chosen as the month of observance as National Coming Out Day which already existed as a holiday on October 11, and the anniversary of the first march for gay rights in Washington took place on October 14, 1979”; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ History +Month now also includes Ally Week-during which students are encouraged to be allies with LGBTQ members and stand up against bullying, Spirit Day on October 20-on which the color purple is worn in solidarity with LGBTQ youth, and the death anniversary of Matthew Shepard-a 21-year old who was murdered in a hate crime on October 12, 1998; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ +History Month allows the opportunity to extensively learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ movement, and what factors and measures that will be successful in building communities and providing role models who will best represent and address the issues of the LGBTQ+ community; ” and
WHEREAS, the City of Yonkers is home to many proud members of the LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of the LGBTQ+ community to seek equality for all Americans has helped shape the City of Yonkers , and steer the course of local and national history; and
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ + community has flourished and members of the LGBTQ+ community have contributed to all areas of society both in Yonkers and across America; and
WHEREAS, despite the fact that the LGBTQ+ community has faced extraordinary social and religious discrimination, the community has continued to persevere and fight for progress; and
WHEREAS, the legacy and continued work of the LGBTQ+ equality and justice movement continues to strengthen and enrich our country; and
WHEREAS, while there has been significant progress in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights due to the efforts of many, much progress still lies ahead; and
WHEREAS, drawing on the courage of each other, LGBTQ+ community members lead in every facet of America life, dedicating their principals of inclusion and awareness to the growth of our great City and Country; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of Yonkers recognizes the rich culture of the LGBTQ+ community and celebrates their immeasurable contributions to our nation by declaring the month of October 2024 to be “LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH”.