Agenda Item: 4a 
Meeting Date: June 27, 2023 

PROCLAMATION 
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as an asset and
strength of our public agency, as reflected in our Century Agenda goals and our
values of respect, anti-racism and equity, integrity, stewardship, and excellence; and
WHEREAS, the Stonewall Inn riots in June 1969 against police violence which targeted the
lesbian, gay, and trans communities in New York City continues to serve as an
important moment of U.S. history. Initiated by two trans women of color,
Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Stonewall protests were led by the trans and
gay community for the right of LGBTQ individuals to be able to live safely, openly,
and authentically became a seismic moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights; and
WHEREAS, the first-year anniversary of Stonewall in 1970 became the first Pride celebration
spreading to several cities before becoming a national and international recognition
and celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual,
two-spirited, and plus (LGBTQIA2S+) communities; and
WHEREAS, the fight for the dignity, respect, equality, inclusion, and belonging of LGBTQIA2S+
communities has been hard-fought in the streets, courts, and legislative chambers 
for decades and continues today for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and families to be free
from the threat of police violence, discriminatory and/or bigoted laws, and de facto
discrimination; and
WHEREAS, despite significant progress for LGBTQIA2S+ rights since Stonewall, there are a
growing number of laws and legislation rooted in bigotry and homophobia that seek
to deny freedom of expression or free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution or
to deny crucial gender affirming care or other life-saving forms of care, education, 
and protections for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. The American Civil Liberties Union cites
491 anti-LGBTQ bills across the U.S. in 2023 alone; and

Proclamation – Pride Month 2023                                                       Page 1 of 3

         WHEREAS,  racism, ableism, misogyny, colorism and anti-Blackness, xenophobia and
immigration status, homophobia, and transphobia are interconnected and result in
continued experiences of prejudice, discrimination, invisibility, marginalization,
physical and social emotional attacks, and lack of protections for fundamental rights
and dignity in hospitals, schools, places of employment, public accommodations,
and other spaces; and 
Whereas, a study by U.C.L.A. Law’s Williams Institute cites 40% of LGBTQIA2S+ adults identify
as people of color and an estimated 1.3 million immigrant adults are LGBTQIA2S+ of
whom 23% are undocumented. These numbers highlight the intersectionality and
multiple identities that compound the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ immigrants
and/or LGBTQIA2S+ people of color who may have fled persecution, the threat of
state-sponsored violence, or other forms of violence including sexual assault in their
home countries  for being queer  (LGBTQIA2S+) or survived generations of
institutionalized racism and violence; and 
WHEREAS, LGBTQIA2S+ families, and the many different ways they are formed, and what they
look like continues to be another arena in the fight for equal rights for LGBTQIA2S+
parents; and 
WHEREAS, Pride Month is a time to learn, reflect, and honor the trials and contributions of the
LGBTQIA2S+ community in the fight for their rights as human beings. Pride Month
is an opportunity to commit to solidarity and allyship to eradicate discrimination
and injustices for collective liberation; and 
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle celebrates and values its LGBTQIA2S+ employees and community
members both during Pride month and year round through the Portwide Pride
employee resource group and the Port’s Transgender Inclusivity workgroup. The
Port is committed to learning from and lifting up the leadership of LGBTQIA2S+
employees and working to make the Port an employer that recognizes the
importance of healthcare equity via gender affirming care, and other benefits
responsive to the needs of LGBTQIA2S+ employees; and 
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle stands against the discrimination, violence, and threats of
violence against LGBTQIA2S+ communities and with all LGBTQIA2S+ families and
individuals in accordance with Port values and the belief in equality, liberty, and
justice for all. 



Proclamation – Pride Month 2023                                                       Page 2 of 3

                NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby proclaims June 2023 - PRIDE
MONTH.

Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 27 day of June, 2023.

Port of Seattle Commission 




Port of Seattle Commission 










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