Title
To Recognize Stonewall Columbus for their 36th year of service to our community, and to celebrate the 2017 Pride Parade and Festival
Body
WHEREAS, Stonewall Columbus was founded in June of 1981, on the 12th anniversary of the historic Stonewall Riots in New York City; and
WHEREAS, since their founding, the organization has provided programming, representation, and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of Columbus's vibrant and diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) community; and
WHEREAS, every June, Stonewall Columbus hosts the Pride holiday, a month-long celebration that culminates in the annual Pride Parade and Festival that attract over 300,000 attendees, while contributing millions of dollars to the local economy and creating a safe and progressive medium for the LGBTQI community to connect with others and express themselves; and
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2017 Pride Festival is “On the River,” and in lieu of Pride Grand Marshal, the LGBTQ refugees who fled their homelands for fear of persecution or death and now call Columbus home will be honored; and
WHEREAS, featuring a number of vendors, activities and events, Pride will be held from June 16th through the 18th at Bicentennial and Genoa Park, with the Pride parade stepping off downtown at 10:30 am on the 17th of June; and
WHEREAS, Pride not only serves as a means to bring the different communities of Ohio together in recognizing the courage and fortitude of the LGBTQI community in their ongoing fight for equality and acceptance , but it also serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for those who still feel marginalized by society. Stonewall Columbus, and Pride celebrations everywhere capture the dedication and emotion of a community of people who contribute to the diversity and continued growth of our society; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize S...
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