Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
Recognizing June 2026 as Pride Month
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has a long and proud LGBTQ+ history, and recognizes the broader history of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality, from the Black Nite Brawl to the Stonewall Riots; and,
WHEREAS, in 1975, the City of Madison became the first place in Wisconsin, and one of the earliest in the country, to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by amending its Equal Opportunities Ordinance; and,
WHEREAS, the City created the state’s first domestic partnership registry in 1990 by ordinance, affording limited rights to same sex couples; and,
WHEREAS, Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people have been leaders in advancing social change, as well as creating and shifting culture; and,
WHEREAS, since 2023, the Madison Common Council has had at least a quarter of alder districts represented by LGBTQ+ alders; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has a proud history of protecting LGBTQ+ rights and advancing LGBTQ+ equality, and continues to do so; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison recognizes the contributions of organizations such as GSAFE, Fair Wisconsin, OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, Freedom Inc., and Orgullo Latinx, among others, who work to uplift and empower the queer community in Madison; and,
WHEREAS, our LGBTQ+ youth, especially transgender youth, have faced discrimination in Wisconsin communities and schools and have bravely organized to fight back against unconstitutional partisan attacks in the Wisconsin State Legislature that aim to divide and distract our communities from real problems we face; and,
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ+ community currently faces attacks from politicians across the country, whether it be the Trump Administration rolling back the rights of transgender people or the already 530 anti-LGBTQ+ bills the ACLU has tracked in state legislatures in 2026; and,
WHEREAS, regardless of these attacks, the City of Madison will continue to stand with the LGBTQ+ community; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Common Council considers bodily autonomy and privacy to be fundamental rights and the foundation for gender equality and justice, including the ability to make decisions about one's own body and life, and to be free from violence, discrimination, or coercion; and,
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ+ community, both locally and globally, has been historically strong and resilient and will continue to be; and,
WHEREAS, having pride itself is both an act of bravery and joy, and Pride Month is about celebrating the beauty of all LGBTQ+ people;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison recognizes the LGBTQ+ community as an important part of the diversity of the greater Madison community, and appreciates their contributions to our economy, culture, neighborhoods, and city.
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the Madison Common Council is committed to protecting the LGBTQ+ community from harassment, discrimination, and violence, and commits to promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance in the community.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City of Madison declares June 2026 as Pride Month in the City of Madison.