[Proclamation: Progress Pride Flag Display for the Month of June ]
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IT'S AN EXCITING MONTH TO BE IN AUSTIN BECAUSE HERE IN AUSTIN WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN OUR SOLIDARITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND ALLYSHIP.
TO US, PRIDE IS NOT JUST ABOUT A MONTH, IT'S ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE DO ALL YEAR LONG, EVERY SINGLE DAY TO UPLIFT OUR LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY.
AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT EMPTY WORDS HERE, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ACTION.
SO I REALLY WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS EMBRACED OUR COMMUNITY AND UPLIFTED THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY.
AND WE'LL HAVE SOME SPECIAL REMARKS WE'LL ADD TO THIS LIST HERE, UH, AT THE END.
UM, BUT SOME OF THE WAYS THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS CHAMPIONED, UM, AS SUPPORTED BY AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL IS FUNDING FOR INCLUSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CREATING.
AND THIS IS A FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY FLANAGAN LED ON THIS INITIATIVE IN CREATING THE LGBTQ PLUS QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION, FORMING THE STONEWALL EQUALITY EMPLOYEE NETWORK, ALSO KNOWN AS SEEN, WHICH ALSO STARTED FROM COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN'S OFFICE CHAMPIONING INCLUSIVE, INCLUSIVE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY, SUCH AS PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS, AND TRANSGENDER INCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE.
SO WE ARE PUTTING IN THE WORK BECAUSE HERE EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU LOVE OR HOW YOU IDENTIFY, DESERVES RESPECT, DIGNITY, AND FRANKLY DESERVES TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR OR FEAR OF HATE OR PROSECUTION, PERSECUTION.
UM, I OF COURSE WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO MENTION THE CITY'S WE ALL BELONG ANTI HATE CAMPAIGN.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE THAT WE HAVE HERE THAT CELEBRATES WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE IN AUSTIN AND STRENGTHENS OUR BOND AGAINST HATE AND EMPOWERS AUSTINITES TO DISMANTLE HATE AND BIAS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT, UM, THEIR TABLE HERE.
THEY HAVE SOME INCREDIBLE SWAG AND, AND I DO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IF YOU SEE OR EXPERIENCE A HATE CRIME, PLEASE REPORT IT AT AUSTIN TEXAS.GOV/AGAINST HATE.
RIGHT NOW, AS WE SPEAK, MANY CITY BUILDINGS ARE FLYING PRIDE FLAGS TO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT AND TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO EVERYONE IN AUSTIN THAT WE STAND WITH SUPPORT AND CELEBRATE OUR LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE OUR PRIDE FLAG DISPLAYED AT AT CITY HALL, BUT WE ARE WORKING SO THAT NEXT YEAR OUR PRIDE FLAG CAN BE DISPLAYED AND FLOWN OVER CITY HALL JUST LIKE WE HAVE IT AT OTHER CITY BUILDINGS.
AND JUST LIKE TRAVIS COUNTY, WHO HAS LED, UH, FOUR YEARS IN GOING AND FLYING PRIDE FLAG AT THEIR COUNTY BUILDING.
AND SO I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY CENTERING THE PERSPECTIVES AND VOICES OF THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY AS PART OF TODAY'S PROCLAMATION.
SO I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, THE INDIVIDUALS WE HAVE WITH US TODAY, A A FEW OF THEM.
UM, APRIL SANI WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN, STONEWALL EQUALITY EMPLOYEE NETWORK PRESIDENT JERRY JOE BENSON, VICE CHAIR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, LGBTQ PLUS QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION.
BRIDGET BANDIT, DRAG QUEEN AND ACTIVIST, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
WE HAVE SOLANA ALVARENGA, DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS WELL AS, UH, DENISE HERNANDEZ COUNTY COURT AT LAW.
JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
UH, WE HAVE PEDRO VILLALOBOS, ACME 1624 PRESIDENT AND CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS COMMISSION CHAIR.
THANK YOU PEDRO FOR JOINING US.
JIMMY FLANAGAN, FORMER AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND, UH, HEAD OF THE ACE BOARD, NOT BOARD ORGANIZATION PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT OF ACE.
AND DANIEL HARVILLE OIL CANNON, HARRY'S AND RAIN REPRESENTATIVE, AS WELL AS MY COLLEAGUES ON CITY COUNCIL.
AND DID I MISS ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.
SO NOW WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY, I'M GONNA READ THE PROCLAMATION OFFICIALLY DECLARING JUNE AS PRIDE MONTH IN AUSTIN, AND I WILL PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO APRIL SANI, PRESIDENT OF SCENE AND JERRY JOE BENSON, VICE CHAIR OF THE LGBTQIA PLUS QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION.
SO BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS PRIDE MONTH TAKES PLACE IN JUNE TO RECOGNIZE THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, AND INTERSEX INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT HISTORY AND ACROSS THE GLOBE.
PEOPLE MARCH ATTEND FESTIVALS AND RALLY TO CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS PRIDE MONTH COMMEMORATES THE STONEWALL RIOTS, WHICH OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 1969 IN NEW YORK CITY, AND SPARK THE MODERN LGBTQIA PLUS CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT SO THAT ALL PERSONS MAY ENJOY THE DIGNITY OF EQUAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO LOVE WHOMEVER THEY WISH TO LOVE.
AND WHEREAS THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTES TREMENDOUSLY TO THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, CULTURAL,
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AND ECONOMIC FABRIC OF AUSTIN.AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF ITS CITIZENS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND SAFE SPACES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN PROUDLY VALUES INCLUSIVITY AND STRONGLY SUPPORTS IMPORTANT PLATFORMS FOR THE LGBTQIA PLUS EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS TO BE CONNECTED THROUGH THE STONEWALL EQUALITY EMPLOYEE NETWORK SCENE AND THE L-G-B-T-Q QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION.
NOW THEREFORE, I COUNCILMAN VANESSA FUENTES ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE, 2024 PRIDE MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I'M A PROUD NATIVE AUSTINITE, A 14 YEAR CITY EMPLOYEE, AND IT IS MY HONOR TO SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE STONEWALL EQUALITY EMPLOYEE NETWORK.
OR SEEN, SEEN IS THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S EMPLOYEE AFFINITY GROUP FOR L-G-B-T-Q-I-A EMPLOYEES AND OUR ALLIES, ADVOCATES, AND ACCOMPLICES SEEN WAS FOUNDED IN 2017 BY A BRAVE AND PASSIONATE GROUP OF CITY EMPLOYEES WHO SAW THE NEED FOR A NEW AFFINITY GROUP FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AT THAT TIME, OUR NAME, THE STONEWALL EQUALITY EMPLOYEE NETWORK, WAS BORN AS A NOD TO THE STONEWALL UPRISING WHOSE 55TH ANNIVERSARY WE COMMEMORATE THIS YEAR.
OUR MISSION IS TO FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE AND RESPECTFUL ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE FOR THE L-G-B-T-Q-I-A COMMUNITY AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
WE ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE L-G-B-T-Q-I-A EMPLOYEES AND PARTNER WITH CITY LEADERSHIP TO DEVELOP WAYS TO ATTRACT SUPPORT AND RETAIN L-G-B-T-Q-I-A EMPLOYEES THROUGH VISIBILITY AND EDUCATION.
ON BEHALF OF CA HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES FOR INVITING US TO TAKE PART IN THIS PROCLAMATION AND FOR HER CONTINUED SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THIS PRIDE MONTH SCENE CELEBRATES THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE.
WE HAVE FOCUSED OUR EFFORTS ON GROWING OUR MEMBERSHIP PLANNING EVENTS FOR OUR MEMBERS THAT PROVIDE A SPACE FOR US TO BE OUR FULL SELVES.
ADVOCATING FOR THE CITY'S EXPANSION OF OUR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE OFFERINGS AND CONSULTING ON A RECENT COUNCIL RESOLUTION THAT DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO FLY THE PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG AT ALL CITY OWNED FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JUNE, EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD LOOK FOR THOSE FLAGS AND IF YOU DON'T SEE THEM, FEEL EMPOWERED TO SPEAK UP.
WHILE OUR COMMUNITY HAS MADE MANY STRIDES, WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE TREMENDOUS WORK THAT REMAINS DISCRIMINATION, VIOLENCE, AND PREJUDICE CONTINUE TO AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY BOTH GLOBALLY AND LOCALLY IN MANY PLACES.
BEING L-G-B-T-Q-I-A IS STILL A CRIME IN OTHERS, HARD WON RIGHTS ARE UNDER THREAT, WHICH IS AN INESCAPABLE REALITY FOR US AT L-G-B-T-Q-I-A TEXANS THE FIGHT FOR TRUE EQUALITY, SAFETY AND ACCEPTANCE IS FAR FROM OVER.
LET THE SPIRIT OF STONEWALL REMIND US OF THE POWER OF UNITY AND COLLECTIVE ACTION.
LET IT INSPIRE US TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND TO STAND FIRM AGAINST ANY FORM OF INJUSTICE.
THE LEGACY OF STONEWALL IS A TESTAMENT TO WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED, WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER WITH COURAGE AND DETERMINATION.
THANK YOU COUNCIL AND DISTINGUISHED GUEST.
UH, MY NAME IS JERRY JOE BENSON.
I'M A NATIVE AUSTINITE COMMISSIONER ON THE LGBTQ PLUS AND JOINT INCLUSION COMMISSIONS.
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY AND AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMISSIONS, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR PASSING THIS PROCLAMATION, CELEBRATING JUNE AS PRIDE MONTH.
IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS WE CELEBRATE AND REMEMBER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS MONTH.
YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND SUPPORT HELP REINFORCE THE VALUES OF INCLUSION AND EQUALITY THAT WE ALL STRIVE FOR EVERY DAY.
I WANNA PERSONALLY THANK COUNCIL MEMBER FLOES FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE AS SHE'S SHOWN TO BE TRUE ALLY TO OUR CAUSE.
CITY LEADERSHIP HAS PROVEN TO BE AN INVALUABLE ALLY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE RECENT TRANS PROTECTION RESOLUTION.
THIS CRITICAL WORK WHICH BEGAN WITH INPUT FROM THE CITY LGBQ COMMISSION AND THE COMMUNITY HAS RECEIVED OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE FEEDBACK.
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THIS RESOLUTION NOT ONLY PROTECTS OUR TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUT ALSO SENDS A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT AUSTIN IS A CITY WHERE EVERYONE IS VALUED AND RESPECTED.AS WE PROGRESS, I TRUST OUR DEDICATION TO FOSTERING THE SAFETY AND THE WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY WILL ONLY STRENGTHEN.
OUR COMMISSION IS EXPLORING THE IDEA OF ESTABLISHING AN LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WOULD BE AN INCLUSIVE SPACE FOR ALL.
THIS WOULD BE A FIRST OF ITS KIND SPACE, PROVIDING COMBINATION OF HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES, COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS A FOOD PANTRY, LEGAL AID, AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE ALONGSIDE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT AUSTIN CONTINUES TO BE A SAFE AND WELCOMING SPACE FOR EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR GENDER IDENTITY FOR THE COMING GENERATIONS.
WE ASPIRE FOR AUSTIN TO BE A LEADER IN PROMOTING ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION, SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER CITIES TO FOLLOW.
IN LIGHT OF THE GROWING NUMBER OF LAWS BEING PASSED AT RESTRICT OR REPEAL THE RIGHTS OF LGBTQ PLUS PEOPLE, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO REMEMBER OUR ROOTS AND WHERE WE CAME FROM.
THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS WE ENJOYED TODAY WERE HARD WON BY THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US.
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF OUR DEMOCRACY WERE ESTABLISHED ON THE PREMISE OF AMPLIFYING OUR VOICES AND LIBERATING OURSELVES FROM THE RULE OF AN AUTOCRATIC MONARCH.
A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS IN WHATEVER, WHETHER IT BE CHAMPIONING WOMEN'S RIGHTS, CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL, OR STANDING UP FOR THE RIGHT TO LOVE WHOM WE CHOOSE.
WITHOUT FEAR OF PROSECUTION, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THESE FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS WERE HARD WON AND MUST BE VIGILANTLY PROTECTED.
I STAND HERE TODAY, PROUD TO BE AN AUSTINITE, PROUD TO BE A TEXAN AND PROUD TO BE GAY.
BUT NOW MORE THAN EVER, OUR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TO EQUAL AND INCLUSION MUST BE TURNED TO ACTION.
THE RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF LGBTQ PLUS INDIVIDUALS ARE UNDER THREAT.
AND IF WE DON'T ACT, WE RISK LOSING THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE.
WE MUST URGENTLY WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT AUSTIN REMAINS A BEACON OF HOPE, ACCEPTANCE AND PRIDE FOR ALL THE STAKES ARE HIGH, OUR FRIENDS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORS DEPEND ON US.
THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY'S VALUES OF INCLUSION AND EQUALITY DEPEND ON OUR ACTIONS.
TODAY, I URGE YOU TO STAND WITH US TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT PROTECT AND UPLIFT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND TO BE THE CHANGE MAKERS THAT AUSTIN NEEDS.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR CARING AND COMMITTING TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
LET'S NOT LET THIS MOMENT PASS US BY.
AUSTIN'S LEGACY AS A LEADER IN ACCEPTANCE AND PRIDE IS IN OUR HANDS.
HI EVERYBODY, MY NAME'S BRIDGET BANDIT.
I'M A LOCAL DRAG QUEEN, LIFELONG TEXAN AND AUSTINITE, AND THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE LGBTQIA A PLUS QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION.
NOW, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FANCY RIGHT NOW, BUT I DO HAVE A FEW WORDS TO SAY BECAUSE I'M SURE IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE TO ALL OF US THAT WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE OF THE HATEFUL ATTACKS ON QUEER TEXANS THIS PAST YEAR, ESPECIALLY WITHIN OUR OWN GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE, INCLUDING WANTING TO BAN DRAG.
I THINK I LOOK PRETTY FABULOUS, BUT IT DOES AFFECT TEXANS E EVEN MYSELF.
WE'VE HAD, UM, PROTESTERS AT OUR DRAG SHOWS, WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO ADD.
WE'RE NOT FROM AUSTIN AND DROVE OF MILES TO COME TO MY SHOW.
UM, I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE IN A CITY IN TEXAS RIGHT NOW THAT DOES THINGS LIKE THIS TO SHOW QUEER TEXANS THAT WE BELONG.
WE ARE HERE AND WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
THIS PROCLAMATION IS A REALLY IMPORTANT REMINDER THAT WE'RE HERE TO STAY AND THAT QUEER TEXANS DESERVE TO BE CELEBRATED.
HAVING A PRIDE FLAG FLOWN IN THE CITY HALL IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY IN A TIME WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO, UH, UH, RID QUEER EXPRESSION FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
SO I JUST WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND EVERYONE HERE TODAY FOR CELEBRATING QUEER TEXANS AND STANDING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.
UM, LONG-LIVED TEXAS DRAG PROTECT TRANS KIDS, AND HAPPY PRIDE MONTH EVERYBODY.
AND WHILE WE DON'T HAVE, OR I BELIEVE WE NEED MORE REP LGBTQIA PLUS REPRESENTATION ON CITY COUNCIL, I DID WANNA GIVE A FEW MINUTES TO OUR FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY FLANAGAN, TO OFFER SOME REMARKS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.
AND, AND I WANT TO THANK, UH, HAVING, I WANT, I WANNA BE GRATEFUL FOR HAVING SUCH AMAZING ALLIES ON THIS COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER
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ALISON AL ALTER, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES AND ALMOST ALL OF THEIR COLLEAGUES WHO STAND WITH THIS COMMUNITY, WHO VOTE THE RIGHT WAY.PRIDE, AS WE KNOW, PRIDE WAS A PROTEST.
PRIDE WAS A PROTEST FOR OUR RIGHTS, FOR OUR DIGNITY, FOR THE ABILITY TO BE WHO WE ARE TO, FOR THE ABILITY TO BE WHO WE ARE IN PUBLIC, FOR OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR COMMUNITY, WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THE LEGISLATURE WORKS OVERTIME TO TRY TO TAKE THOSE RIGHTS AWAY, TAKE THOSE RIGHTS AWAY FROM TRANS KIDS, FROM DRAG QUEENS, BUT NOT JUST THEM, FROM WOMEN, FROM IMMIGRANTS, FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO PART OF OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AT PRIDE MONTH, NOT JUST AS A CELEBRATION, BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET EDUCATED.
LOOK AT WHO'S RUNNING FOR OFFICE, BE PREPARED FOR THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.
AND AS MUCH AS AUSTIN HAS FOR MANY DECADES BEEN A SANCTUARY AND A PLACE OF REFUGE FOR QUEER TEXANS, AND WE ALL KNOW THE, THE JOY AND THE LOVE THAT THAT HAS BROUGHT TO OUR COMMUNITY, THESE RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES DO NOT PASS UNANIMOUSLY IN THIS BUILDING.
WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR HEADS UP AND OUR EYES OPEN ABOUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO VOTE FOR IN NOVEMBER.
AND THAT IS THE EASIEST THING TO DO.
IT'S NOT THE ONLY THING WE NEED TO DO, BUT IT'S THE FIRST THING WE'VE GOT TO DO.
THANK YOU AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES FOR INVITING ME TO SPEAK TODAY AND HAPPY PRIDE.
ALRIGHT, HAPPY PRIDE MONTH Y'ALL.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE A QUICK GROUP PHOTO AND UH, I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GRAB A BITE TO EAT.
WE DO HAVE SANDWICHES AND SOME SNACKS AVAILABLE.