Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                                A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                              25-243

                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                          June 11, 2024

To recognize and honor the LGBTQ+ communities of the District of Columbia, to express the

       commitment of the District of Columbia Government to supporting and protecting

       LGBTQ+ people, to condemn anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and other acts of prejudice, to

       commemorate Capital Pride 2024, and to celebrate the Capital Pride Alliance for

       organizing this annual event.

       WHEREAS, the theme for Capital Pride 2024 is “Totally Radical,” which will celebrate

the remarkable passion, activism, inclusion, and diversity within the LGBTQ+ communities in

the District of Columbia;

       WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people in the District of Columbia have spent many decades

organizing, advocating for their rights and needs, building enduring communities, and

challenging themselves and each other to pursue equity and inclusivity in many forms;

       WHEREAS, the vision and perseverance of LGBTQ+ people in the District of Columbia

has generated important political breakthroughs in local governance, such as the prohibition of

discrimination based on gender identity or expression beginning in 2005;

       WHEREAS, the contributions of LGBTQ+ people in the District of Columbia have

repeatedly generated meaningful progress in movements for LGBTQ+ people nationwide;

       WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people and communities continue to face violence, oppression,

and erasure in the District of Columbia on the basis of their genders and sexualities, especially

where they intersect with other marginalized identities;

        WHEREAS, demagogues and political opportunists across the United States have

intensified their efforts to harm LGBTQ+ people and eradicate LGBTQ+ communities, including

by prohibiting inclusive and age-appropriate education on gender, sexuality, history, and the arts;

by denying people access to gender-inclusive healthcare; by imposing degrading and unscientific

sex stereotypes on youth in sports and on public accommodations; and by recklessly propagating

shameful, dehumanizing, and fascistic falsehoods against LGBTQ+ people;

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       WHEREAS, in the face of these unconscionable threats, the need for both dogged public

manifestations of LGBTQ visibility and year-round political action remains as urgent as ever;

         WHEREAS, the Capital Pride Festival will provide a full week of cultural, political,

social, religious, athletic, and community service events from May 31st through June 9, 2024,

which will offer an eclectic experience for all in attendance and will culminate in the Annual

Capital Pride Parade on June 8th;

        WHEREAS, Iya Dammons, the Founding Executive Director of DC Safe Haven and

Maryland Safe Haven will be honored with the the “Breaking Barriers” Award, and Volunteer

Chair, Bryan Davis and dedicated volunteer, William Hawkins will be honored with the “The

Bill Miles Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service” Award at this year’s Capital Pride Honors

for their work on behalf of Capital Pride and the larger LGBTQ+ community;

        WHEREAS, the LGBTQ+ communities of the District of Colombia have been a strong

and positive force in the city and encompasses people of every race, age, and religion and from

every walk of life, as well as individuals who significantly contribute to the political, social, and

cultural life of our LGBTQ+ community; and

        WHEREAS, this annual event reflects the hard work and dedication of the Capital

Alliance Board of Directors and Production Team; event sponsors Amazon, Darcars, Hot 99.5,

MGM National Harbor, Marriott Bonvoy, Nissan, Kaiser Permanente, Pepco, HOT 99.5 FM,

Capitol One, Washington Blade, Whitman-Walker Health, Monumental Sports, and others; and

hundreds of volunteers from across the Washington Metropolitan area who make this legendary

festival a success every year.

        RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “49th Annual Capital Pride Festival Recognition Resolution of

2024.”

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the Capital Pride

Alliance and all who contribute to the success of Capital Pride 2024.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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