June 2021 in Santa Clarita was officially declared LGBTQ Pride Month during Tuesday evening’s city council meeting.
Mayor Bill Miranda introduced the proclamation during the Awards and Recognitions portion of the meeting.
“Santa Clarita is pleased to once again proclaim the month of June as Pride Month in Santa Clarita”, Miranda stated. “LGBTQ Pride Month celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities along with their continuous work for equal justice and equal opportunity.”
Miranda also recognized LGBTQ efforts towards equality across the nation, mentioning Pride Month being held in June as the commemoration of the Stonewall Inn Uprising in New York City 52 years ago.
During the 1960s, solicitation for same-sex relations was illegal in New York City, with gay bars serving as a safe haven for LGBTQ people. New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, igniting six days of protests, riots and violent confrontation with the police. Marsha P. Johnson, a black gay rights activist and drag queen, was one of the most prominent figures of the Stonewall Inn Uprising. The Stonewall Inn Uprising now serves as one of the most important events in the fight for LGBTQ liberation in the United States. Miranda also expressed thanks towards the LGBTQ organizations in Santa Clarita that “work hard everyday to support our residents”.
“Prior to this event, work for equality had already begun in California,” Miranda added. “The country’s first gay rights organization was founded in Los Angeles County in 1950, nearly 20 years before the Stonewall Riots”.
The City of Santa Clarita Human Relations Roundtable also issued a statement in support of Pride Month, thanking local SCV organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Santa Clarita Public Library, for their efforts in highlighting the LGBTQ community.
“These are just a few groups that join us to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ neighbors as we acknowledge their contributions to our city,” the statement read. “Federal and local policies and practices have increasingly acknowledged LGBTQ+ equality. Yet there is still work to be done. Pride Month encourages greater inclusion and support fo all, including our LGBTQ+ citizens.”
However, last night’s city council meeting was met with opposition during public participation. “This is ridiculous”, stated one Santa Clarita resident. He asked for an amendment to LGBTQ Pride Month to include “H” for “heterosexuality.” This resident also expressed concern for Pride Month itself and asked for it to be changed to “Humility Month,” or to “get rid of the LGBTQ” and keep Pride Month so that “anyone who is proud of whatever they’re proud of can be proud.”
“There’s still more to be done to eliminate the discrimination of LGBTQ individuals,” Miranda said towards the end of his proclomation. During Pride Month, according to Miranda, “The city encourages residents to become educated on LGBTQ history and advocacy and connect with the local LGBTQ organizations to offer support if possible.”
LGBTQ Pride Month was first recognized in Santa Clarita Valley in June 2019.
Julianna Lozada
Born in Danville, Illinois, and moving to Reims, France, for college, Julianna Lozada's lived in Valencia her entire life. She's currently a student with Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University pursuing a dual degree program specializing in politics and government, international relation, and human rights. During high school, she worked with political campaigns, sustainability, student-run activist groups and voting/elections which influenced her choosing to study politics. With a piano background, Julianna's also become interested in the ways in which politics and social movements intersect with music and how artistic mediums can enact change. After college, she hopes to get a Masters in political journalism and work internationally.
Good job Santa Clarita!
Nice article!