A Pride rainbow banner flies alongside the U.S. flag
Mayor Prince declares June as Pride Month in Gary
Contributed By:The 411 News
No parades announced nor has a LGBTQ+ community in Gary come forward, yet
Mayor Jerome A. Prince issued the City’s first ever
executive order June 1 supporting national Pride Month, a celebration of inclusivity and
respect for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) residents and
visitors.
No parades have been announced nor has a LGBTQ+ community in Gary come forward, yet. But Mayor Prince's executive order is inline with many cities in the U.S.
Mayor Prince said the move is long overdue in the 115-year-old City.
“Just as Gary steel built nations and economies, we are about building up people and
communities,” Mayor Prince said. “We are a welcoming City, and we will not tolerate
hate or the denial of anyone’s human rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms.”
In the executive order, Mayor Prince called on Gary residents to join his Administration
in the effort to “help break down the walls of fear and prejudice” and to “work to build a
bridge to understanding and acceptance until gays, lesbians, bisexuals,
transgendered, queer-plus individuals are afforded the same rights and responsibilities
as all Americans.”
Pointing to the historic 1969 Stonewall Inn uprising in New York City, Mayor Prince said the City of Gary
joins former President Barack Obama and broader initiatives to “turn back
discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists” and in promoting equal rights for all
Americans.
Gary already has updated its ordinances to include protection for LGBTQ+ residents,
Mayor Prince said.
Mayor Prince also encouraged the Gary Common Council to join him in promoting this human rights issue.
“I have every confidence our Common Council agrees with treating all of our residents
and businesses equally, and I look forward to their support for this important cause,”
he said.
Story Posted:06/04/2021
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