Resolution 31224
passed by City Council
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Seattle Gay News
click here to go to the main SGN website
posted Friday, June 25, 2010 - Volume 38 Issue 26 Resolution 31224 passed by City Councilby James Whitely - SGN Staff Writer On Monday, June 21, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed resolution 31224, reaffirming the City of Seattle's commitment to full equal rights for all residents and employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. In short, the resolution makes it city policy that city departments work with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) and the Seattle LGBT Commission to provide a report to the Seattle City Council and the mayor by June 2011 that assesses the employment, housing, health and other needs of Seattle's LGBT community and to propose community and city strategies for meeting those needs. The resolution also encourages city departments to continue active participation in Seattle's annual PRIDE celebration. "The City of Seattle has a long history of being inclusive of our LGBT community and today's resolution reaffirms that commitment," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, who co-sponsored the resolution with Councilmembers Sally Clark, Nick Licata, and Tom Rasmussen. "This resolution puts the City on record to work closely with the LGBT community to guarantee equal rights and provide for full participation of all our residents and City employees." The resolution illustrates the rich history of Seattle's commitment to LGBT rights from as early as 1972. This includes everything from the city's presence at the Pride celebration to past legislation including the banning of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, allowing domestic partners of city employees to share employment benefits, and requiring contractors who do business with the city to provide similar benefits to their LGBT employees. "The City of Seattle has long prided itself on its commitment to diversity in all its forms," said Councilmember Rasmussen. "Civil rights protections for all are essential to ensure that all families are safer and more secure." The resolution also declares that support of the LGBTQ community is one of the City of Seattle's core values. Also on Monday, the Seattle LGBT Commission held a social at Café Metropolitain. The social served as a Pride kickoff and celebration of the commission's 25th anniversary, as well as a celebration of the passing of the resolution. "We look forward to working with the City in the coming months to develop a comprehensive needs assessment for Seattle's LGBT community and to propose steps to address those needs," said Lillie Cridland, co-chair of the Seattle LGBT Commission. The 15-member Seattle LGBT Commission advises the mayor, council, and city departments about sexual minority issues, and recommends policies and legislation. It is made up entirely of Seattle citizens. "It's fitting that we adopt this resolution during LGBT Pride month in Seattle," said Councilmember Sally Clark. "The LGBT movement has come far over the past 40 years, but there's still work to be done. This resolution is a great step toward recognizing the positive contributions our LGBT residents contribute to the Seattle landscape and to develop strategies to combat discrimination wherever it may be found." "Seattle remains a leader in progressive policies when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity because of the committed activists and supporters who call our city home," said Clark. "The City Council is unified in supporting and pushing this work further every year." |
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