Proclamation
–
Pride
Month
5
Page
1
of
3
PROCLAMATION
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle remains committed to bolstering our public agency’s assets and
strengths of equity, diversity, and inclusion, true to our Century Agenda goals and
our values of respect, anti-racism and equity, integrity, stewardship, and excellence;
and
WHEREAS, New York’s June 1969 Stonewall Inn riots made history as an early uprising against
the police violence that openly targeted communities and individuals across
America that identified as (or were believed to be) lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, two-spirited, or more (LGBTQIA2S+ or “trans
and queer” for short). These Stonewall protests, led by the Inn’s poor trans Black
and Latine patrons joined by homeless youth living in the adjacent park, fought for
the right to live and gather safely, openly, and authentically, and became a seismic
moment in U.S. history; and
WHEREAS, the next year’s commemoration of Stonewall in 1970 became the first Pride march,
observed by community members in several cities including Seattle, and has since
become the worldwide recognition, celebration, and political event for trans and
queer communities it is today; and
WHEREAS, these communities’ fight for the dignity, respect, equality, inclusion, and belonging
continues in our streets, courts, and legislative chambers, to keep pushing back
against discrimination, police violence, and bigoted laws; and
WHEREAS, despite significant progress for their human rights since Stonewall, 2025 has brought
a growing number of laws and proposed legislation rooted in bigotry and
homophobia, aiming to deny American freedoms of expression and speech
protected by the Constitution, crucial gender-affirming medical care, and other life-
saving forms of education and legal protections. Right now, the American Civil Liberties
Union is tracking 575 such bills across the country, four right here in Washington
State; and
Agenda Item: 4a
Meeting Date: June 24, 2025
Proclamation
–
Pride
Month
5
Page
2
of
3
WHEREAS, anti-Blackness, racism, ableism, misogyny, colorism, xenophobia, and immigration
status all interconnect with transphobia and homophobia to capture every
vulnerable community in a net of prejudice, discrimination, invisibility,
marginalization, and physical and social attacks. Combined, these forces work
tirelessly to unjustly strip away protections for fundamental rights and dignity in
spaces like hospitals, schools, places of employment, housing, and public
accommodations; and
WHEREAS, the many ways LGBTQIA2S+ / trans and queer people form families and what they
look like continue to be an arena in this fight for equal rights; and
WHEREAS, UCLA Law’s Williams Institute indicates people of color make up 40% of LGBTQIA2S+ /
trans and queer adults. They also note that of 1.3 million immigrant adults identifying
as such, 23% lack adequate documentation. This intersectionality of multiple
identities compounds the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ / trans and queer
immigrants, particularly those of color. Such experiences often spur their
immigration, fleeing their home countries to avoid persecution, threats of state-
sponsored attack, or other forms of violence including sexual assault; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle celebrates and values its LGBTQIA2S+ / trans and queer
employees, business partners, and community members year-round and during
Pride month, in part through support of its Port-Wide Pride and Transgender
Inclusivity employee groups. The Port learns from and lifts up their leadership as
they work to keep the Port an employer that recognizes the importance of attracting
and retaining an expert workforce through healthcare equity, gender affirming care,
family formation, and benefits responsive to the needs of all employees; and
WHEREAS, because Pride Month is a time to learn, reflect on, and honor the trials and
contributions of these community members in their fight for human rights, it is an
opportunity for the Port of Seattle to commit to solidarity and allyship to eradicate
discrimination and injustices for collective liberation; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle stands strong against discrimination, threats, and deadly violence
against LGBTQIA2S+ / trans and queer communities, families, and individuals, in
accordance with Port values and its belief in equality, liberty, and justice for all.
Proclamation
–
Pride
Month
5
Page
3
of
3
NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby proclaims June 2025 - PRIDE
MONTH.
Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 24
th
day of June 2025.
Port of Seattle Commission
Port of Seattle Commission