478-2021

Whereas,the City of Portland is committed to diversity, social justice, equity, and mutual respect as a fundamental aspect of a healthy community; and

Whereas,the long and ongoing struggle of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) communities for basic civil and human rights continues to provide inspiration to all those who work against discrimination and oppression; and

Whereas,in any movement it is imperative to remember its history and center the voices of its most marginalized members, especially the transgender women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera who fought back against police violence at Stonewall and continue to lead the struggle for our rights; and

Whereas,the presence and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community is vital to the quality of life of all residents and visitors alike in the City of Portland, a city known as a safe harbor and home for this community; and

Whereas,Pride celebrations have been held continuously in Portland since 1971 and Pride marches since 1976, and 2021 marks the 51^st anniversary of Pride around the world; and

Whereas,we celebrate our recent wins in Oregon, which joined a growing number of states that support nonbinary gender markers on birth certificates and driver’s licenses, and banned biased legal defenses that had been used to justify hate crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community; and

Whereas,now more than ever, it is important to not overlook the LGBTQIA+ community, nor allow them to be invisible during physical and social distancing measures and attacks on their rights across the country; and

Whereas, while the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily lives and activities for all of us, including our annual Pride celebration, this does not mean that folks in our community have lost their pride!

Now, therefore,I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim June of 2021 to be 

Portland Pride Month

in Portland and encourage all residents to observe this month.