TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft resolution officially recognizing every May 22nd as Harvey Milk Day and the month of June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month in the City of Long Beach, and direct City Manager to annually raise the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride Flag (Progress Pride Flag) at Long Beach Civic Plaza and light City assets for certain occurrences, as specified, recognizing the LGBTQ+ community and their rights;
Direct City Manager to update Attachment "A" of Administrative Regulation 8-18 (“Display of National, State, and Other Flags”) to replace the Pride Flag with the Progress Pride Flag; and
Repeal Resolution No. RES-17-0055, which declared the third week of May in the City of Long Beach as Long Beach LGBTQ Pride Week.
DISCUSSION
Harvey Milk Day and LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Since 2009, the governor of California has declared every May 22nd as Harvey Milk Day. Harvey Milk was a visionary leader, an activist, and the first openly gay elected official in California. His unwavering dedication to equality and social justice continues to inspire generations of individuals, and his legacy serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. By designating May 22nd as Harvey Milk Day, our City can honor his contributions and provide an opportunity for education, remembrance, and celebration of diversity.
On June 11, 1999, then US President Bill Clinton declared June 1999 as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and in 2011, then President Barack Obama expanded the proclamation to the whole LGBT community, and in 2021, President Joe Biden declared June 1st through June 30th as "National LGBTQ+ Pride
Month." Pride Month is a worldwide celebration that commemorates the progress made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and promotes acceptance, inclusivity, and equality for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. By acknowledging LGBTQ+ Pride Month, in the City of Long Beach, it showcase...
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