Date: July 18, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, First Council District Vice Mayor Cindy Allen, Second Council District
Councilwoman Suely Saro, Sixth Council District
Subject: 40th Anniversary of Long Beach Pride
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft proclamation officially recognizing the 40th Anniversary of Long Beach Pride.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Long Beach is proud to recognize and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pride in our community, an event that has become a symbol of love, equality, and acceptance. Long Beach Pride was established in 1983 by Judi Doyle, Marilyn Barlow and Robert Crow. Their visionary leadership for Long Beach Pride has grown into a vibrant and inclusive celebration that honors the resilience, self-affirmation, and achievements of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community. Long Beach Pride has served as a beacon of hope, fostering unity, and understanding among people from all walks of life, transcending the barriers of gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity.
This proclamation is a momentous occasion as it officially recognizes the 40th anniversary of Long Beach Pride. It provides an opportunity to reflect upon the progress made in advancing NB-32
LGBTQ+ rights while acknowledging the ongoing work needed to ensure equality and justice for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The first Pride marches were held on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. They took place in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Since then, Pride festivals have grown significantly, and as of 2022, there were at least 330 Pride festivals held in the United States. Given this historical context and the significance of Long Beach Pride, it is appropriate for the City of Long Beach to officially recognize this event.
The City of Long Beach proudly stands with the LGBTQ+
community, reaffirming our commitment to fostering an inclusive city where everyone can live, work, and thrive without fear of discrimination or prejudice. The City of Long Beach calls upon all residents, businesses, and community organizations to join in the celebration of the 40th year anniversary of Long Beach Pride, honoring the remarkable progress made over the past four decades and recommitting ourselves to the work that lies ahead in achieving full equality, acceptance, and respect for the LGBTQ+ community.
EQUITY LENS:
This proclamation aligns with the City’s vision of fostering equity with the goal of making Long Beach a place where all individuals, irrespective of their background, neighborhood, or identity, can flourish, attain optimal well-being, and realize their full potential for a prosperous life.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Financial Management review was able to be conducted due to the time sensitivity of this item.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY:
This item requires urgency so as to align with the anniversary month.
REQUEST TO ADD AGENDA ITEM
Date: July 18, 2023
To: Monique De La Garza, City Clerk
From: Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, First Council District
Subject: Request to Add Agenda Item to Council Agenda of (July 18, 2023)
Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 2.03.070 [B], the City Councilmembers signing below request that the attached agenda item (due in the City Clerk Department by Friday, 12:00 Noon) be placed on the City Council agenda under New Business via the supplemental agenda.
The agenda title/recommendation for this item reads as follows:
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft proclamation officially recognizing the 40th Anniversary of Long Beach Pride.
Council
District
Authorizing
Councilmember
Signed by
1 Councilmember Mary
Zendejas
2 Vice Mayor Cindy Allen
6 Councilmember Suely
Saro
Attachment: Staff Report dated July 18, 2023
CC: Office of the Mayor
City of Long Beach Memorandum
Working Together to Serve