Bill Text: CA SR33 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relative to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-06-22 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 23. Noes 3. Page 1530.) [SR33 Detail]
Download: California-2015-SR33-Enrolled.html
BILL NUMBER: SR 33 ENROLLED BILL TEXT ADOPTED IN SENATE JUNE 22, 2015 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 3, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Senators Lara, Galgiani, and Leno JUNE 3, 2015 Relative to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, Our great state and nation strives to promote the principles of equality and justice, and the inalienable rights of all people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and WHEREAS, California's and America's diversity is one of our greatest strengths; and WHEREAS, To achieve a just and fair society, we must teach our children to respect one another, to appreciate our differences, and to recognize the common good in all of us; and WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people come from all walks of life, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, economic status, physical or mental ability, medical condition, sex, or gender identity or expression; and WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have made important and lasting contributions to our great state and nation in every field of endeavor, including, but not limited to, business, medicine, law, humanities, science, literature, politics, education, music, philanthropy, sports and athletics, arts, and culture, that enrich our national life; and WHEREAS, For the first time in the history of the United States, a sitting President and Vice President, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, affirmed their support for the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation or gender; and WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, affirming that all loving and committed couples who are married deserve equal treatment and respect; and WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Proposition 8 sponsors had no standing to appeal the federal trial court's decision that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, thereby restoring marriage equality in California; and WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States is now considering the constitutional basis for marriage equality and whether the millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals across the country are able to marry whom they love; and WHEREAS, A growing number of married same-sex couples now enjoy the same rights and privileges granted to other married couples, including joint tax filings, military benefits, family and medical leave, and the ability to sponsor a foreign spouse; and WHEREAS, More lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are being elected to public offices across the country, playing in professional sports leagues, occupying the highest positions in business, and serving as role models for all; and WHEREAS, The transgender community, in particular, has gained newfound prominence in media, entertainment, sports and business, raising awareness about gender identity and the obstacles this community continues to face; and WHEREAS, While our great state and nation have progressed in our journey toward dignity, understanding, and mutual respect for all, we still have a long way to go to eradicate the prejudice and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families encounter, and to this end, we continue working for the passage of the inclusive federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), comprehensive immigration reform, and increased awareness of the difficulties facing the transgender community; and WHEREAS, Friends and allies of the LGBT community have shown considerable support and commitment to the struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people at home and abroad; and WHEREAS, To build a stronger and better state and nation, we must continue to help advance the cause of equality for all people; and WHEREAS, Each year, June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that gave birth to the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights movement; and WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has proclaimed June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month and reaffirmed his administration's goal of eliminating prejudice everywhere it exists and celebrating the great diversity of the American people; and WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, their families and friends, and all those committed to justice and equality celebrate, during the month of June, the rich culture, the notable achievements, and the outstanding services that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans make to our great state and nation; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims June 2015 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and encourages the people of California to work to help advance the cause of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Members of the Legislature and to the author for appropriate distribution.