City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00443 5/2/2023 Consent Item 21.
Adopt a Resolution Directing the City Manager to Fly the Pride Flag During Pride Month at City Facilities
File ID: 2023-00443
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution directing the City Manager to fly the Pride Flag during the month of June from flagpoles at City facilities on which flags are regularly flown, as a symbol of support for the LGBTQI Community.
Contact: Zachary Freels, Chief of Staff (916) 808-5241, [email protected] , Office of Councilmember Katie Valenzuela; Asialyn Lee, Council Representative (916) 808-7337 , [email protected], Office of Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang; Consuelo Hernandez, Director of Governmental Affairs (916) 808-7395 , [email protected], Office of the City Manager.
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: In 2019, the State of California made a pivotal decision to fly the pride flag from the Capitol for the first time as a symbol of support for the LGBTQI community. This was in direct response to the decision issued by the US Administration under former President Trump to ban flying such flags at all U.S. Embassies. On June 25, 2019, the Council adopted Resolution 2019-0272 directing the City Manager to fly the Pride Flag from City Hall during the month of June.
Since then, the City of Sacramento in partnership with the City LGBTQI Employee Resource Group (ERG) has raised the Pride Flag at City Hall annually during the month of June in honor of Pride Month. Raising the flag not only symbolizes support from the City, it honors the joys and contributions of our LGBTQI community members. Alongside the great milestones in the community, the urgency
File ID: 2023-00443 5/2/2023 Consent Item 21.
to continue advocating for LGBTQI rights remains as the rise of anti-LGBTQI and anti-trans legislation and hate crimes persist, demonstrating the need to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQI community members.
Policy Considerations: The proposed resolution is consistent with the City’s 2023 State and Federal Legislative Platform of Equal Rights for all Sacramento residents to “ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the California and U.S. Constitutions apply to every person in the city.” It is also in accord with the City’s historical support of the diversity of the city, including the LGBTQI community.
Economic Impacts: City departments will cover the cost of purchasing flags from their operating budget.
Environmental Considerations: This action is not a project that is subject to CEQA because it does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines §15061 (b)(3).)
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: On June 25, 2019, Council adopted Resolution 2019-0272 directing the City Manager to fly the PrideFlag from City Hall during June as a symbol of support for the LGBTQI community.
Rationale for Recommendation: The City of Sacramento stands in support with our LGBTQI residents, employees, and businesses. Directing the City Manager to fly the Pride Flag during the month of June at City facilities that regularly fly flags aligns the City with the State of California’s decision to fly the Pride Flag at the capitol and expands the City’s decision to fly the Pride Flag from City Hall during the month of June.
Financial Considerations: None.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO FLY THE PRIDE FLAG THROUGHOUT JUNE
AS SPECIFIED
BACKGROUND
A. In 2019, Governor Newsom decided to fly the Pride flag from the State Capitol as a symbol of support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex (LGBTQI) community. This was in direct response to the decision issued by the Trump Administration at that time, denying requests to fly Pride flags during Pride month at U.S. Embassies throughout the world.
B. On June 19, 2019, the City Council approved Resolution 2019-0272 directing the City Manager to fly the Pride Flag at City Hall during the month of June. Since then, the City of Sacramento in partnership with the City LGBTQ Employee Resource Group (ERG) has raised the Pride flag at City Hall annually during the month of June.
C. The City of Sacramento believes that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the California and U.S. Constitutions apply to every person in the city. The City of Sacramento has long been home to a culturally-rich LGBTQI community that has played a significant role in the movement for equality and social justice in California.
Sacramento prides itself as a City that respects and celebrates all persons and it is fully committed to welcoming and embracing all members of our community.
D. Governor Newsom’s historic decision in 2019 to fly the Pride flag prominently from the State Capitol demonstrated that California stood firmly for equality and inclusion.
At the same time, the City passed the resolution to fly the Pride flag from City Hall in solidarity and support of the LGBTQI residents, employees, businesses and more.
E. As the capital city of California, Sacramento remains committed in 2023 and onward to join in solidarity with the State of California and other capital cities throughout the Country by flying the Pride flag, not only at City Hall, but on all City flagpoles throughout June as a unifying symbol for all Californians and Sacramentans in support and recognition of PRIDE month.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby directed to fly the Pride Flag throughout Pride Month, from all City facilities at which flags are regularly flown, which includes city hall, if all applicable federal, state and local regulations are followed.
Adopted by the City of Sacramento City Council on May 2, 2023, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
Attest: