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A resolution recognizing Thursday, June 1 to Friday, June 30, 2023 as the “Nashville Pride Month”, celebrating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer communities and their enormous contributions to the quality of life in Nashville and Davidson County, and further recognizing the 35th anniversary of the first Nashville Pride event.
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WHEREAS, Our Pride Encompasses Nashville (Nashville Pride) has been a strong advocate and supporter of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) communities throughout Middle Tennessee and is celebrating Nashville Pride in the city of Nashville; and
WHEREAS, the city of Nashville is honored to welcome members of the LGBTQ community and their allies to celebrate a very special and important event honoring the diversity, inclusion, and history of the pride and gay rights movement; and
WHEREAS, the Nashville Pride celebration and movement continues to grow and celebrates inclusion as a necessary ingredient to making Nashville and the United States truly diverse. Nashville Pride has grown immensely and is now one of the largest public weekend festivals in Middle Tennessee, reminding us to embrace what makes each individual unique and to use those qualities to change the world for the better; and
WHEREAS, the Pride movement has an auspicious history in the U.S. and Nashville. Early on the morning of Saturday, June 28th, 1969, LGBTQ persons rioted following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar at 43 Christopher Street in New York City. In Nashville, the first pride parade took place in 1988, not with a riot but as a positive stance against discrimination and violence toward LGBTQ people. The parade promoted self-affirmation, dignity, equal rights, and increased the visibility of LGBTQ persons as a social group to build community; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 61st anniversary of the first passage of legislation decriminalizing same-sex relationships in the US which occurred in the State of Illinois in 1962. While Tennessee still has a sodomy statute in place, it was ruled unconstitutional by the Tennessee Court of Appeals in the Campbell v. Sundquist decision, brought by Nashville resident Penny Campbell; and
WHEREAS, this year also marks the 35th consecutive Pride event in Nashville. This year’s Nashville Pride Festival will be held June 24th & 25th, 2023 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County would like to thank the Nashville Pride Board of Directors, Working Groups, Sponsors and all of the volunteers for their continued support and commitment to the mission of Nashville Pride over the past 35 years; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the conclusion of the 2019-2023 Metro Council session during which the LGBTQ Caucus was established after a record of five out LGBTQ Council Members were elected or re-elected, bringing LGBTQ representation to 12.5% of the Metro Council body, and during which time the LGBTQ Caucus has endeavored to promote awareness of and advocacy for LGBTQ people in Davidson County and across Tennessee, to provide context to legislation to ensure the visibility, protection and advancement of the LGBTQ community in Davidson County, and to seek opportunities to collaborate with and support the Minority Caucus and the Women’s Caucus on legislation and events promoting equality and inclusion for all Nashvillians; and
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ Caucus looks forward to continuing to collaborate with community organizations and colleagues in future Metro Council class sessions and elected officials at all levels of government toward advancing equality for all Nashvillians and Tennesseans.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Thursday, June 1 to Friday, June 30, 2023 to be “Nashville Pride Month” in Nashville, celebrating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities and their enormous contributions to the quality of life in the City of Nashville.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Nashville Pride Board of Directors.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.