RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 2, 2022
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as Pride Month and honoring Howard Brown Health
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 had been considered a safe place to openly gather and celebrate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people for many years; 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; 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 June of 2019, the District raised the Pride flag outside of its main office building for the first time. In another first, on June 1, 2021, the District, in addition to raising the Pride flag outside of the main office building, also raised the Pride Flag at its 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, on June 23rd, the District will host a virtual business roundtable designed to offer LGBTQ businesses information regarding contracting opportunities; and
WHEREAS, continuing the 2022 trend of honoring health care providers, for this year’s recognition of Pride Month the District acknowledges the work and contributions of Howard Brown Health. Established in 1974, Howard Brown Health is one of the largest LGBTQ health organizations in the United States; and
WHEREAS, during the pandemic, Howard Brown Health contributed significantly to the testing and vaccination of LGBTQ people living in vulnerable communities. By offering services in English and Spanish, Howard Brown Health was able to assist a broader range of patients. During the year 2020, Howard Brown Health conducted approximately 64,320 novel coronavirus tests; 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 vast contributions of Howard Brown Health to the LGBTQ community; 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 Howard Brown Health.
Dated: June 2, 2022