Recognizing accomplishments and continuing challenges to equality

The Metropolitan King County Council Monday declared June LGBTQ Pride Month, celebrating the accomplishments and history of the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities while acknowledging the challenges to their full participation in society.

“In 2011, for the first time ever, the Council declared June Pride Month in King County.  We’ve seen significant progress in those years including full marriage equality. Yet, we continue to see attacks on the rights of the LGBTQ community,” said Council Chair Joe McDermott. “LGBTQ Pride Month serves as an opportunity to reflect on our progress and recommit ourselves to the fight for equal rights under the law.”

Pride Month is celebrated in June in recognition of the June 1968 Stonewall Riots in New York, considered the start of the modern movement for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

“As we celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month, we are reminded that we must protect the victories that we have won in the past in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, but we must also move forward to ensure that discrimination is eradicated completely,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett. “Only then will there be room at the table for all!”

“The month of June is an opportunity to celebrate one of our County’s greatest strengths, our diversity,” said Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles. “I’m honored to stand beside LGBTQ individuals in our community to celebrate Pride and continue to fight for equal rights.”

“Today we honor our LBGTQ community, and celebrate how far we have come in our evolution as a country that respects the rights and individuality of all people,” said Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “At the same time, we must continue to be vigilant and actively oppose discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity whenever and wherever it occurs.”

While there have been a number of accomplishments in LGBTQ residents gaining the rights that most citizens take for granted, there are still challenges for their communities. A number of states have challenged equity laws for the LGBTQ communities with the adoption of “bathroom protection” legislation that would prevent transgender residents from using the bathroom that corresponds to his or her gender identity.

“Gender Justice League was honored to join the council today in celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month,” said Danni Askini, Executive Director of the Gender Justice League. “At a time when we are seeing increased attacks on the transgender community’s civil rights, we are honored to live in a county whose businesses, elected officials, and public celebrate transgender people an integral part of the fabric of our communities.”

King County and the County Council have worked to end discrimination against sexual minorities. In 2012, the County supported marriage equality legislation in Olympia. In 2008, the Council sent an amendment to the King County Charter adding gender identity and expression to the anti-discrimination section to voters, who approved it with a 71 percent yes vote.

Seattle’s annual Pride Parade will be held on Sunday, June 27.