RESOLUTION NO. 260543
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to raise and display the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag at City Hall during the month of June in recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month and to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community; and committing to annually recognizing June as Pride Month by raising and displaying the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag at City Hall.
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WHEREAS, Kansas City recognizes June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and works to encourage a welcoming, affirming, and safe community to live in by continuing to actively take steps to ensure diversity and inclusion in City government, create safe spaces and equitable policies, and adopt municipal initiatives designed to support the LGBTQ+ community and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the first Pride festival in Kansas City was held in 1975, entitled “Heart of America Gay Pride Festival,” and was organized by the Gay People’s Union, Kansas City Women’s Liberation Union, the Joint Committee for Gay Right’s, and the Metropolitan Community Church; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City remains committed to encouraging diversity and inclusion in City government, creating safe spaces and equitable polices, and adopting municipal initiatives designed to support the LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Pride Month offers an opportunity to learn about the discrimination and inequality that the LGBTQ+ community has faced, and continues to face, while celebrating the work of individuals and organizations who have strived to create equality for all; and
WHEREAS, raising the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag at City Hall serves as a display of the City’s support for LGBTQ+ individuals and aligns with the City’s dedication to promoting a welcoming and inclusive community; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the United States Supreme Court decision in Shurtleff, et al. v. City of Boston, et al. (2021), City Council provides legislative guidance to the City Manager and all relevant staff pertaining to the raising of flags on city property not associated with the United States, the State of Missouri, and the City of Kansas City; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize and commit to annually recognizing June as Pride Month in sincere appreciation to the City’s LGBTQ+ community for their enduring contributions to the City’s development, character, and future.
Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to display the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag during the month of June on an annual basis to recognize LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
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