On June 1, 2023, the 62nd Senate of Madison Area Technical College made history by introducing Senate Resolution No. 001 – LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
On June 29, 2023, voting on Senate Resolution No. 001 – LGBTQ Pride Month took place through a roll call vote which passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 15 (Yes), 1 (No), & 1 (Abstain). This resolution is effective as of June 1, 2023. Congratulations!
What is Senate Resolution #001-LGBTQ+ Pride Month?
Resolved by the Student Senate of Madison Area Technical College, that the following article is proposed:
Effective June 1, 2023, henceforth formally recognize June as Pride Month to celebrate and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the safety, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging of the LGBTQ+ community.
IN THE SENATE OF MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Date Presented-Thursday, June 1, 2023
Vice Presidents Brito and Shulman introduced the following legislation, sponsored by Senators Owens and Willis, drafted on their own recognition.
A RESOLUTION
FORMAL MOTION: Formally recognize June 2023, and all future months of June in subsequent years, as Pride Month in support of LGBTQIA+ communities on all Madison College campuses.
SECTION 1: PRIMARY REASONING:
WHEREAS:
- Since 1999, June has been nationally recognized as Pride Month, when President Bill Clinton officially declared the first Gay & Lesbian Pride Month. It was later changed to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.
- June was chosen to memorialize the historic events of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City’s Stonewall Inn.
- This year, a record number of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills (over 490) have been introduced to U.S. State Legislatures (Source: ACLU). These bills limit access to lifesaving healthcare, basic education, and civil rights. Hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people have also risen significantly.
- In this increasingly hostile environment, it is more important than ever for the Senate to show some of the most vulnerable members of our community that there is a home for them at Madison College.
- Therefore, the Student Senate vows to reaffirm its commitment to the safety and support of all students, especially those who are members of the LGBTQIA+ and other diverse communities.
- The Student Senate resolves to support LGBTQIA+ individuals by:
- Advancing and protecting basic rights that should be accessible to all students,
- Addressing discriminatory legislation and policies against LGBTQIA+ communities
- Ensuring safety, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging for LGBTQIA+ students on campus.
- Participating on the WTCS Student Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee.
- And in accordance with the Three-Year Organizational Plan Fiscal Years 2023-2026, Goal #3: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging (DEIAB) Position:
- Supporting measures to increase diversity for underserved groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community such as the creation of a liaison and advocate for identity-based clubs and DEIAB initiatives.
- We the Student Senate, for reasons stated above, support this resolution to honor and reaffirm our commitment to supporting Madison College’s LGBTQIA+ community.
SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS
The LGBTQIA+ community is defined here as an inclusive term for individuals of all genders and sexualities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersexual, asexual, agender, non-binary, polyamorous, pansexual and gender-fluid in addition to other gender identities and sexual orientations across the spectrum.
- Underserved groups here refer to peoples that have been traditionally and systematically denied equal opportunity to fully participate within social spheres, workplace environments, and other aspects of day-to-day existence.
CONCLUSION:
Be it resolved by the Student Senate of Madison College assembled, that:
The Student Senate will in perpetuity formally recognize June as Pride Month in support of LGBTQIA+ communities on all Madison College campuses.