Proclamation – Pride Month 2023 Page 1 of 3

PROCLAMATION

OF THE

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as an asset and

strength of our public agency, as reflected in our Century Agenda goals and our

values of respect, anti-racism and equity, integrity, stewardship, and excellence; and

HEREAS, the Stonewall Inn riots in June 1969 against police violence which targeted the

lesbian, gay, and trans communities in New York City continues to serve as an

important moment of U.S. history. Initiated by two trans women of color,

Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Stonewall protests were led by the trans and

gay community for the right of LGBTQ individuals to be able to live safely, openly,

and authentically became a seismic moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights; and

WHEREAS, the first-year anniversary of Stonewall in 1970 became the first Pride celebration

spreading to several cities before becoming a national and international recognition

and celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual,

two-spirited, and plus (LGBTQIA2S+) communities; and

WHEREAS, the fight for the dignity, respect, equality, inclusion, and belonging of LGBTQIA2S+

communities has been hard-fought in the streets, courts, and legislative chambers

for decades and continues today for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and families to be free

from the threat of police violence, discriminatory and/or bigoted laws, and de facto

discrimination; and

WHEREAS, despite significant progress for LGBTQIA2S+ rights since Stonewall, there are a

growing number of laws and legislation rooted in bigotry and homophobia that seek

to deny freedom of expression or free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution or

to deny crucial gender affirming care or other life-saving forms of care, education,

and protections for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. The American Civil Liberties Union cites

491 anti-LGBTQ bills across the U.S. in 2023 alone; and

Agenda Item: 4a

Meeting Date: June 27, 2023

Proclamation – Pride Month 2023 Page 2 of 3

WHEREAS, racism, ableism, misogyny, colorism and anti-Blackness, xenophobia and

immigration status, homophobia, and transphobia are interconnected and result in

continued experiences of prejudice, discrimination, invisibility, marginalization,

physical and social emotional attacks, and lack of protections for fundamental rights

and dignity in hospitals, schools, places of employment, public accommodations,

and other spaces; and

Whereas, a study by U.C.L.A. Law’s Williams Institute cites 40% of LGBTQIA2S+ adults identify

as people of color and an estimated 1.3 million immigrant adults are LGBTQIA2S+ of

whom 23% are undocumented. These numbers highlight the intersectionality and

multiple identities that compound the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ immigrants

and/or LGBTQIA2S+ people of color who may have fled persecution, the threat of

state-sponsored violence, or other forms of violence including sexual assault in their

home countries for being queer (LGBTQIA2S+) or survived generations of

institutionalized racism and violence; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQIA2S+ families, and the many different ways they are formed, and what they

look like continues to be another arena in the fight for equal rights for LGBTQIA2S+

parents; and

WHEREAS, Pride Month is a time to learn, reflect, and honor the trials and contributions of the

LGBTQIA2S+ community in the fight for their rights as human beings. Pride Month

is an opportunity to commit to solidarity and allyship to eradicate discrimination

and injustices for collective liberation; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle celebrates and values its LGBTQIA2S+ employees and community

members both during Pride month and year round through the Portwide Pride

employee resource group and the Port’s Transgender Inclusivity workgroup. The

Port is committed to learning from and lifting up the leadership of LGBTQIA2S+

employees and working to make the Port an employer that recognizes the

importance of healthcare equity via gender affirming care, and other benefits

responsive to the needs of LGBTQIA2S+ employees; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle stands against the discrimination, violence, and threats of

violence against LGBTQIA2S+ communities and with all LGBTQIA2S+ families and

individuals in accordance with Port values and the belief in equality, liberty, and

justice for all.

Proclamation – Pride Month 2023 Page 3 of 3

NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby proclaims June 2023 - PRIDE

MONTH.

Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 27 day of June, 2023.

Port of Seattle Commission