To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Report Title: Resolution declaring June 2024, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Contra Costa County.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT resolution declaring June 2024, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by Supervisor Carlson.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
See resolution text.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF declaring June 2024, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, the month of June was chosen for LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual) Pride Month to commemorate the rise of the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement that grew out of spontaneous civil rights demonstrations by members of the LGBTQIA+ community against unjust police raids that took place in New York City at the end of June 1969, known as the Stonewall Riots; and
WHEREAS, former President Obama designated the Stonewall Inn as a National Monument in 2016 because of the role it played in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ acceptance in the U.S., the Stonewall Riots inspire LGBTQIA+ people, not only in the U.S. but throughout the world, in the struggle for civil rights; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Health, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, and Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services, through the work of the LGBTQ Pride Initiative, received the prestigious national designations of Leader in Healthcare Equality or Top Performer in Healthcare Equality each year since 2013 from the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Health identified the need for a specialty clinic to serve the transgender and gender-diverse community and started the first Gender Clinic in October 2016, the only clinic for transgender care between Oakland and Sacramento at that time; and
WHEREAS, the Rainbow Community Center is an essential community-based organization in Contra Costa County that is solely focused on serving the LGBTQIA+ community, with priorities to strengthen services for LGBTQIA+ youth, seniors, people living with HIV/AIDS, and to develop community-building efforts that will diminish the sense of isolation and promote greater acceptance of all LGBTQIA+ people; and
WHEREAS, the Rainbow Community Center provides many services to the LGBTQIA+ community, including clinical and peer groups for LGBTQIA+ community, outpatient mental health services, a food pantry, a Homeless transitional youth program, and senior support; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County’s LGBTQIA+ partners include the County's Pride Initiative, Children’s Hospital, Rainbow Community Center, RYSE Center, Center for Human Development, Gender Spectrum, the James Morehouse Project at El Cerrito High School, Somos Familia, East Bay Getting to Zero, Jewish Family and Community Services of the East Bay, Richmond Rainbow PRIDE, Clayton Pride, Martinez Pride, Oakland/East Bay Gay Men's Chorus, the Royal Grand Ducal Council of Alameda/Contra Costa Counties Inc., PFLAG, and Queer Alliances Contra Costa; and
WHEREAS, the Royal Grand Ducal Council (RGDC) is one of the oldest LGBTQIA+ social service organizations serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties that increases public awareness and knowledge and raises money for other charitable organizations; and
WHEREAS, the RYSE Center through their Health Justice Programs, hosts the Alphabet Group where LGBTQIA+ youth can dialogue about their experiences and identity in a safe space; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Pride works to create a city where LGBTQIA+ people thrive as healthy and equal members of society through advocating for respect, equity, and justice, and building a culturally rich community for members and allies; and
WHEREAS, PFLAG Clayton-Concord is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them, and each year they host the annual Pride Prom; and
WHEREAS, in Contra Costa County, LGBTQIA+ community residents, employees, businesses, and organizations have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions which add to the rich diversity of the County; and
WHEREAS, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors supports and promotes inclusion, non-discrimination, and equity among all County residents; and
WHEREAS, the Progress Pride Flag, which highlights transgender and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) within the LGBTQIA+ community, is a symbol of support for the LGBTQIA+ community and its diversity, and this Board of Supervisors believes that flying the Progress Pride Flag at the seat of the County demonstrates the County’s commitment to inclusivity and to being a welcoming place for all Contra Costa County residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County declares the month of June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Contra Costa County and in furtherance of that designation, hereby directs that the Progress Pride Flag be raised at the County Administration Building during all business days of the month of June 2024 following approval of this proclamation and encourages a safe and accepting environment for all members of the community.