TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to draft a resolution officially declaring the 3rd Week of May in the City of Long Beach as LGBTQ Pride Week.
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach has had a strong and vibrant Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community for decades. Over the years, our city has produced dozens of leaders who have fought for LGBTQ rights at all levels of government. Many of these local leaders are recognized at Equality Plaza located at Harvey Milk Promenade Park. Their work has helped to ensure more LGBTQ people have access basic needs like healthcare, housing, HIV/AIDS services, and equal rights under the law in California. Long Beach continues to lead the way in protecting and supporting its LGBTQ community through a multitude of LGBTQ organizations. From the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach which provides social services to youth, seniors and other vulnerable populations, to the International Imperial Court of Long Beach which raises tens of thousands of dollars to support other nonprofits, to the CAR.E. Program at St. Mary's Hospital which provide HIV/AIDS services to people regardless of ability to pay, and the AIDS Food Store which serves meals and provides groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS just to name a few.
Additionally, every year the City of Long Beach celebrates Long Beach Pride, hosted by Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride, Inc., on the 3rd weekend of May. Now in its 34th year, this celebration has become the 2nd largest event in the City of Long Beach attracting nearly 100,000 people a year. It has also become the 3rd largest pride celebration in the nation, ensuring that Long Beach's progressive reach extends throughout the United States. The work and advocacy of the LGBTQ community deserves this official recognition by the City of Long Beach.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for this resolution.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
JEANNINE PEARCE
COUNCILMEMBER, SECOND DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT