Pennsylvania HR 426: A Resolution recognizing the month of June 2026 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2970
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 426
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BENHAM, CARROLL, KENYATTA, MAYES, SALISBURY,
SCOTT, SMITH-WADE-EL, WAXMAN, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, VENKAT,
HOHENSTEIN, BRENNAN, SANCHEZ, PIELLI, McNEILL, MALAGARI,
KHAN, SCHLOSSBERG, SAMUELSON, T. DAVIS, DELLOSO, KINKEAD,
ISAACSON, RIVERA, MERSKI, SHUSTERMAN AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
MARCH 9, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 9, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of June 2026 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Our Commonwealth was founded on the principles of
freedom, fairness and tolerance; and
WHEREAS, Through military service, in debates and
demonstrations, at the polls and in countless other acts of
democracy, Pennsylvanians have consistently defended these
principles; and
WHEREAS, Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer
or questioning (LGBTQ+) Pennsylvanians and their allies have had
significant roles in the economic, cultural, spiritual and
political development of this Commonwealth while working
tirelessly to maintain and promote culture and history; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has been the site of many pivotal
moments in LGBTQ+ history; and
WHEREAS, The activism that has been vital for promoting
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tolerance and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community has flourished
in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, On April 25, 1965, borrowing a strategy associated
with the African-American civil rights movement, a group of
gender-variant persons of color organized a sit-in to protest
discrimination toward LGBTQ+ individuals at Dewey's lunch
counter in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, This event has been recognized as the first LGBTQ+
sit-in in the nation and one of the first demonstrations
launched with the goal of protecting the dignity of LGBTQ+
individuals; and
WHEREAS, The Annual Reminder marches held in front of the
Liberty Bell on Independence Day from 1965 through 1969 drew
national attention to the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for
liberty and equality; and
WHEREAS, Initiatives in keeping with the Dewey's lunch
counter and Annual Reminder demonstrations have generated
greater inclusion among LGBTQ+ Americans in their respective
communities; and
WHEREAS, Commonwealth agencies and officers have
traditionally been on the forefront of LGBTQ+ recognition,
regardless of which political party has been in control; and
WHEREAS, In 1975, Governor Milton Shapp issued the first
Statewide resolution in the nation recognizing LGBTQ+ equality;
and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Governor Shapp established the Pennsylvania
Council for Sexual Minorities, the first governmental body in
the nation to examine LGBTQ+ issues; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Governor Richard Thornburgh became the
first Republican governor in the nation to issue a Statewide
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resolution recognizing LGBTQ+ equality; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians remain committed to advancing LGBTQ+
inclusion and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to Philadelphia Gay News,
the oldest continually published magazine devoted to LGBTQ+
issues; and
WHEREAS, The John C. Anderson Apartments in Philadelphia, one
of the nation's first affordable LGBTQ+ elder housing
facilities, and the Persad Center in Pittsburgh, the second
oldest licensed counseling center serving the LGBTQ+ community
and people living with HIV, offer additional resources; and
WHEREAS, The month of June is recognized worldwide as "LGBTQ+
Pride Month" to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York
City, considered to be a turning point in the fight for global
LGBTQ+ equality; and
WHEREAS, "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" highlights the work, struggles,
accomplishments and challenges of LGBTQ+ individuals in this
Commonwealth and beyond; and
WHEREAS, As a celebration of diversity, "LGBTQ+ Pride Month"
reflects this Commonwealth's unique history of welcoming and
securing equal treatment for all individuals and adds greatly to
the social inclusion and economic health and well-being of our
communities; and
WHEREAS, With increasing anti-LGBTQ+ hate, the House of
Representatives must show now more than ever that we stand in
solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and that they deserve to be
visible and heard; and
WHEREAS, More work needs to be done to eliminate
discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
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month of June 2026 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania.
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