THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BRIGGS, JOSEPHS, FRANKEL, K. BOYLE, BRENNAN, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, DEAN, GOODMAN, HARHART, JAMES, MAHONEY, MANN, McGEEHAN, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, SANTONI AND COHEN, OCTOBER 12, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 12, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of October 2012 as "LGBT History Month" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, For nearly two decades the month of October has been

recognized nationwide as "LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender) History Month"; and

WHEREAS, The month of October is celebrated as a time to

acknowledge and commemorate the historic contributions of LGBT

Americans and mark honest and authentic lives with National

Coming Out Day on October 11; and

WHEREAS, National organizations including GLAAD, the Human

Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the

National Education Association and Statewide organizations such

as Equality Pennsylvania and others have strongly endorsed LGBT

History Month; and

WHEREAS, LGBT Pennsylvanians, such as artist Andy Warhol,

environmentalist Rachel Carson, lyricist and theater producer

Stephen Sondheim and civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, have all

made important and long-lasting contributions to American

history and culture; and

WHEREAS, An increasing recognition of and appreciation for

our Nation's and our State's LGBT individuals will serve to

increase community understanding, equality and inclusiveness;

and

WHEREAS, We owe a great deal of gratitude to those persons

who have pioneered the way toward greater civil rights and

equality; and

WHEREAS, Months commemorating and honoring the LGBT members

of our community have been enacted in the past by United States

presidents, governors and mayors; and

WHEREAS, LGBT History Month draws our collective attention to

the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

Pennsylvanians, reminding us of the diverse and inclusive

principles upon which Pennsylvania and our great nation were

founded and have grown; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of October 2012 as "LGBT History Month" in Pennsylvania;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and

commend the observation of "LGBT History Month" to our citizenry

and to our culture and urge all Pennsylvanians to take the

opportunity to learn and reflect upon this nation's struggle for

equality and respect for all.