RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2019
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, Pride Month, and the accomplishments of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois
Body
WHEREAS, on June 28, 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn, a tavern in New York City; and
WHEREAS, the Stonewall Inn, located on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, had for several years been a place of celebration and community for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people; and
WHEREAS, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn responded to the raid with spontaneous acts of individual civil disobedience that blossomed into a larger demonstration of community solidarity and resistance; and
WHEREAS, the uprising at the Stonewall Inn soon became a prominent focus of national attention as well as a source of inspiration to the ongoing movement for LGBT rights; and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Pride in Chicago began a year after the Stonewall uprising, as activists marched to commemorate the anniversary of the raid on the Stonewall Inn, and to demonstrate that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere would no longer accept second-class treatment; and
WHEREAS, June 28, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of Stonewall; and
WHEREAS, a tradition was born that has been celebrated in Chicago the last weekend of June ever since; and
WHEREAS, District Commissioners and staff have participated in Chicago’s Pride Parade celebrations since 2009; and
WHEREAS, this year’s Chicago’s Pride Parade will be held on Sunday, June 30th starting in Uptown, going through Lakeview and concluding in Lincoln Park; and
WHEREAS, the LGBT community in Chicago and Cook County have made wide-ranging contributions in various fields, including but not limited to business, manufacturing, real estate, education, the arts, media, not-for-profit organizations, politics, and government; and
WHEREAS, Chicago celebrates newly elected Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the first openly gay person and first black woman to lead the city; and
WHEREAS, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois - formerly the Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce - was founded in 1995 by Tracy Baim, who brought together prominent business leaders from across Chicago to form a business organization that is believed to be the first LGBT association to use the words Chamber of Commerce in its name; and
WHEREAS, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce initially promoted networking, training, and marketing opportunities for its members, but since has evolved into a resource for professional and business development, advocacy, and education; and
WHEREAS, the Chamber’s current mission is to promote economic opportunities for the community by serving as an advocate and resource for all member businesses; and
WHEREAS, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois currently has 500 members - of which 50 are LGBT-certified businesses - and continues to grow; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District serves the residents of the Chicago metropolitan area with professionalism and pride; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago recognizes the work of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois to promote LGBT businesses in the greater community; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago recognizes the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and the month of June as Pride Month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois.
Dated: June 20, 2019