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AGENDA BILL Agenda Item No. (5D) Date: May 21, 2013 To: El Cerrito City Council From: Mayor Lyman and Mayor Pro Tem Abelson Subject: Support a Proclamation Recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month in the City of El Cerrito ACTION REQUESTED Approve a proclamation proclaiming the month of June 2013 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month in the City of El Cerrito and invite everyone to reflect on ways we all can live and work together with a commitment to mutual respect and understanding, and further recognize Pride Month by flying the rainbow flag at City Hall during the month of June. BACKGROUND El Cerrito has a diverse LGBT community and is committed to representing and supporting all members of the community in favor of tolerance, respect, and celebration. June has become a symbolic month in which lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, Transgender, and supporters come together in various celebrations of pride and several cities across the United States traditionally recognize and celebrate June as LGBT Pride month. The rainbow flag, also known as the LGBT pride flag or gay pride flag, has been used since the 1970’s as a symbol of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender pride and LGBT social movements. Flying the rainbow flag at City Hall further signifies, symbolizes and celebrates the City’s support for the great diversity of this City and LGBT visibility, dignity, and equality. During a recent discussion regarding the Human Relations Commission event budget, members of the Commission supported the City’s purchase of a rainbow flag for the City to fly during the month of June. The Human Relations Commission develops positive human relations through education, encouragement of greater respect and understanding between people, their equal opportunity rights under the law and the recognition of the racial, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of the El Cerrito community. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS The flag will be paid for under the current budgeted appropriation level. ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(F) Page 2 Attachments: 1. Proclamation ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(D) Attachment 1 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO PROCLAMATION Recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month in the City of El Cerrito WHEREAS, the City of El Cerrito has a diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community and is committed to supporting visibility, dignity and equity for all people in the community; and WHEREAS, many of the residents, students, city employees, and business owners within the City of El Cerrito who contribute to the enrichment of our City are a part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community; and WHEREAS, various advancements have been made with respect to equitable treatment of lesbians, gay men, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning persons throughout the nation, but there continues to be some opposition against people from this community and around the world making it important for cities like El Cerrito to stand up and show support for our residents who are affected; and WHEREAS, several cities across the United States recognize and celebrate June as LGBT Pride Month; and WHEREAS, June has become a symbolic month in which lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, Transgender, and supporters come together in various celebrations of pride; and WHEREAS, the rainbow flag, also known as the LGBT pride flag or gay pride flag, has been used since the 1970’s as a symbol of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender pride and LGBT social movements; and WHEREAS, flying the rainbow flag at City Hall throughout the month of June further symbolizes the City’s celebration of diversity and support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community. NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of El Cerrito does hereby declare the month of June as LGBT Pride month in the City of El Cerrito, and invites everyone to reflect on ways we all can live and work together with a commitment to mutual respect and understanding, and further, recognizes Pride Month by flying the rainbow flag at City Hall during the month of June. Dated: May 21, 2013 Gregory B. Lyman, Mayor