BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:Title
Adopt Resolution Recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month.
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RECOMMENDATION:Recommendation
Adopt the RESOLUTION, RECOGNIZING JUNE AS LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH.
Body
SUMMARY:
The month of June is nationally recognized as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month (LGBTQ Pride Month) to commemorate the Stonewall riots in Manhattan, which occurred at the end of June 1969. A year after the Stonewall Riots, members of the LGBTQ community began to celebrate the anniversary of that significant event, which brought widespread attention to discriminatory laws and policies and from which the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement was born.
Over fifty years after the Stonewall Riots, the LGBTQ community continues to face discrimination, marginalization and attacks that compromise their basic rights and safety. A recent example of discrimination is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s approval of state bill HB 1557, nicknamed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. This bill states that district school boards shall exercise their power in a manner that conforms to the following duty: "Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards." The bill also prohibits a school district from maintaining procedures that require school district personnel to withhold from a parent, or encourage a student to withhold, information related to a student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being. This bill fundamentally harms LGBTQ students in school environments as it prohibits the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools for children between the ages of 5 to 9.
During the month of June, communities around the world will show their support for the LGBTQ community and celebrate their many contributions through pride events that include parades, marches, rallies, commemorations, community days, dance parties and large festivals. PRIDE, an employee resource group (ERG) of Valley Water, seeks Board consideration to adopt a resolution declaring June 2022 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month to honor the contributions of the LGBTQ community and in support of LGBTQ rights at Valley Water and beyond.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no Environmental Justice impacts associated with this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:Manager
Joseph Aranda, 408-630-2326