RESOLUTION NO. 230943
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Sponsors: Councilpersons Andrea Bough and Johnathan Duncan
RESOLUTION - Declaring October LGBTQ+ History Month.
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WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ History Month was founded in 1994 by a Missouri High School history teacher Rodney Wilson, adopted by the General Assembly of the National Education Association in 1995 and is an observance of LGBTQ+ history, rights and civil rights movements; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ History Month highlights role models, builds community, and uplifts the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City Oak Park High School students made history twice in the LGBTQ+ community by electing their first Trans Homecoming Queen Landon Patterson in 2015 and second Trans Homecoming Queen Tristan Young in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City earned 100% on the Municipal Equity Index in 2015, 2021, and 2022 and continues to actively take steps to ensure diversity and inclusion in City government, create safe spaces, equitable policies and adopt initiatives to support LGBTQ+ community and businesses; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City had an important role historically in disseminating vital information to the LGBTQ+ community in the Midwest through The Phoenix: Midwest Homophile Voice, an American homophile magazine, 1966 - 1972; and
WHEREAS, the Council adopted an anti-discrimination ordinance in 1993, banned Juvenile Conversion Therapy in 2019, established the LGBTQ Commission in 2020, declared Kansas City a Safe Haven for Gender-Affirming Healthcare in 2023, and remains committed to standing with and advocating for their LGBTQ+ community year-round; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby declare October LGBTQ+ History Month, celebrating the contributions of their thriving and growing LGBTQ+ population in Kansas City; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented Landon Patterson and Tristan Young, with the admiration of the Mayor and Council for making LGBTQ+ History.
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