RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2023
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as Pride Month and honoring Equality Illinois
Body
WHEREAS, on June 28, 1969, the New York City Police Department conducted a raid of the Stonewall Inn, a tavern located in New York City’s Greenwich Village, which for many years had been considered a safe place to gather and celebrate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people; and
WHEREAS, as a consequence of the raid, patrons of the Stonewall Inn, as well as bystanders and those passionate about LGBTQ equality responded with spontaneous acts of civil disobedience that lasted five days and transformed into a larger demonstration of resistance. The uprising at the Stonewall Inn subsequently became the catalyst for a burgeoning LGBTQ movement; and
WHEREAS, in June of 1970, in observance of the anniversary of the Stonewall Inn confrontation, activists and supporters of the LGBTQ community marched in numerous cities throughout the United States. This display of solidarity transformed into a month-long tribute to the Stonewall Inn upheaval and the LGBTQ populace; and
WHEREAS, Chicago has always been at the forefront of the movement for LGBTQ rights. In fact, the first organized campaign is credited as having begun in Chicago in the 1920s. With that historic legacy, Chicago was proudly one of the many cities that participated in the commemoration events of 1970, a tradition that has been followed every year since; and
WHEREAS, now known as Pride Month, June is celebrated throughout the United States with parades, marches, carnivals, parties, and other gatherings. Pride Month has received recognition from several Presidents of the United States, including President William J. Clinton, President Barack H. Obama, and President Joseph R. Biden; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) has participated in Pride festivities for numerous years. In formal recognition of June as Pride Month, in 2019, the District raised the Pride flag outside of its main office building for the first time. On June 1, 2021, in addition to raising the Pride flag outside of the main office building, the District also raised the Pride flag at the treatment plants; and
WHEREAS, this year in recognition of Pride Month, on June 1st the District will once again raise the Pride flag outside of the main office building and each of the treatment plants. Additionally, this year the District is proud to honor Equality Illinois; and
WHEREAS, established in 1991 as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights by Arthur Johnston, Rick Garcia, Jon Henri Damski, and Lana Hostetler, Equality Illinois was created to support, preserve, and safeguard the basic fundamental rights of people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community in Illinois. Equality Illinois is the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ organization in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Equality Illinois sponsors a variety of events which provide assistance to the LGBTQ+ community including sponsoring educational workshops geared toward equality in the workplace; hosting voter registration drives; and informing the non-LGBTQ+ community regarding the difficulties endured; and
WHEREAS, due in part to the successful advocacy of Equality Illinois, the following laws have been passed or amended: the Human Rights Act (2005); the Safe Schools Act (2010); the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (2010); and the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (2013); and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize June as Pride Month and honor the unwavering commitment of Equality Illinois; 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 Equality Illinois.
Dated: June 1, 2023