Bill Text: NJ AR138 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-16 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [AR138 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AR138-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman LUANNE M. PETERPAUL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman GARNET R. HALL
District 28 (Essex and Union)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution designating June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey.
Whereas, New Jersey is committed to embracing the value and dignity of each person who resides in this State, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation; and
Whereas, Individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and non-binary (LGBTQIA+) continue to make valuable contributions to every aspect of life in New Jersey, including academics, architecture, art, business, culture, economic development, education, fashion, film, government, health, law, music, politics, research, science, sports, and technology; and
Whereas, Pride Month was first formally recognized by the federal government on June 11, 1999 by President Clinton, recognizing June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." On June 1, 2009, President Barack H. Obama declared June "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month." On May 31, 2023 President Biden issued a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month; and
Whereas, LGBTQIA+ individuals have historically been persecuted by discriminatory laws and policies that denied access to rights, programs, benefits, and services otherwise guaranteed to the general population; and
Whereas, It is commonly accepted that the protests that occurred outside the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969 following a police raid represented the turning point in the movement for LGBTQIA+ civil rights; and
Whereas, In the succeeding decades, generations of LGBTQIA+ individuals have worked tirelessly to achieve lasting gains in LGBTQIA+ equality at the local, state, and federal levels, including gaining the right to marriage equality and the corresponding spousal benefits, establishing laws guaranteeing equality in housing and employment, securing equality in access to education and health care, winning the right to serve openly in the Armed Forces, and pushing for other gains in equality at all levels of society; and
Whereas, Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are disproportionately affected by violence and hate crimes; and
Whereas, The Human Rights Campaign issued a National State of Emergency on June 6, 2023, citing an unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LBGTQIA+ legislative actions across the United States; and
Whereas, The Human Rights Campaign and the American Civil Liberties Union are currently tracking over 400 state bills that attack the LGBTQIA+ community in regards to healthcare access, free speech and expression, and the weakening of civil rights; and
Whereas, The mere introduction of such legislation legitimizes and amplifies anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and violence and has a significant impact on LGBTQIA+ youth; and
Whereas, Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. LGBTQIA+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers; and
Whereas, According to the Trevor Project, 60 percent of LGBTQIA+ young people report that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lifetime; and
Whereas, New Jersey state law addresses discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community and will continue to be committed to the equality, dignity, and safety of the LGBTQIA+ community; and
Whereas, June has long been celebrated in many places worldwide as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, in recognition of both the gains in LGBTQIA+ equality that have been realized since June 1969, as well as in recognition of the ongoing struggle to advance civil, societal, and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community; and
Whereas, Moreover, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is a celebration of visibility and acknowledges the contributions LGBTQIA+ individuals have made and continue to make to strengthen the fabric of American society, as well as a celebration of authenticity, acceptance, inclusion, and love; and
Whereas, It is therefore appropriate to designate June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey, in recognition of the achievements, contributions, struggles, and humanity of LGBTQIA+ individuals; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. June 2024 is designated as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. Public officials and the citizens of this State are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with appropriate activities.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey, in recognition of the achievements, contributions, struggles, and humanity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary, and pansexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Public officials and citizens of New Jersey are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2024 with appropriate activities.
