Proclamation – Pride Month 2026

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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 identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual,

two-spirited, or more (LGBTQIA2S+ or “trans and queer” for short). These Stonewall

protests were led by the Inn’s poor trans Black and Latine patrons joined by

homeless youth who lived in the adjacent park. Their fierce fight for the right to live

and gather safely, openly, and authentically became a seismic moment in U.S.

history; and

WHEREAS, 1970’s commemoration of Stonewall included the first Pride march observed by

community members in Seattle and several other big cities, and has since become the

worldwide recognition, celebration, and political event for trans and queer people

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 deadly attacks, discrimination, police violence, and bigoted laws; and

WHEREAS, despite significant progress for their human rights since Stonewall, this year again

brought a growing number of laws and legislation rooted in bigotry and homophobia

that aim 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. This year the ACLU is tracking 530 such hateful bills

across the country, six of them here in Washington; and

Agenda Item: 4a

Meeting Date: June 23, 2026

Proclamation – Pride Month 2026

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WHEREAS, well-loved UW student Juniper Blessing was one of ten trans people we know of

slain in May 2026 alone in the U.S. Across our country anti-Blackness, racism,

ableism, misogynoir and misogyny, colorism, and anti-immigrant hatred

interconnect with transphobia and queerphobia to spur increasing physical attacks

and erode protections for fundamental rights and dignity in spaces like hospitals,

schools, places of employment, housing, and public accommodations; and

WHEREAS, how trans and queer people form and shape their families continue to be an arena

in this fight; and

WHEREAS, people of color make up 40% of trans and queer adults, and of the 1.3 million immigrant

adults identifying as trans and queer, 23% lack adequate documentation. This

intersectionality of multiple identities compounds the lived experiences of trans and

queer migrants, particularly those of color; and

WHEREAS, such experiences spur migration here by those forced to leave home countries or

homes in other US states and cities to avoid persecution, state-sponsored attack,

and other forms of violence including sexual assault; and infuriatingly , our own

country’s machinery of incarceration and deportation tears them from their new

homes here to send them back into the danger, deprivation, and death they had

risked everything to flee; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle celebrates and values its 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 this

an employer that can attract and retain its 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 about, 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 trans and queer people, communities, families, and allies, in accordance

with Port values and its belief in equality, liberty, and justice for all.

Proclamation – Pride Month 2026

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NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby proclaims June 2026 - PRIDE

MONTH.

Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 23

day of June 2026.

Port of Seattle Commission