LGBT proclamation read at tonight’s Salina City Commissioners Meeting

Gary Marten read tonight’s proclamation for LGBT Pride month for the month of June. In addition, Mr. Martin wanted to thank the current city commissioners who are for LGBT. He also thanked Mayor Aaron Householter, Kaye Crawford and Barb Shirley for their support of the ordinance that banned discrimination against LGBT back in 2012. That ordinance, when put to a public vote five months later, failed to pass. Mr. Marten, also thanked those who apposed the LGBT ordinance back in 2012 who are no longer commissioners. Those two being, former Mayor, Norm Jennings and Salina City Commissioner, Samantha Angell. Mr. Marten thanked them for, “having the foresight not to run for an additional term.”
Below is the proclamation in its entirety.

PROCLAMATION

TO PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JUNE, 2014 AS LGBT PRIDE MONTH
Whereas, June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month
across the United States; and
Whereas, Salina has a diverse LGBT community, which includes individuals from
all walks of life; and
Whereas, LGBT youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their
straight peers, and more than 1/3 of LGBT youths have attempted
suicide and nine out of ten LGBT youths report harassment at school,
and three-ﬁfths report feeling unsafe at school; and
Whereas, the LGBT community in Salina has organized to ﬁght discrimination
and support fairness, and has taken an active role in bettering this
community for all individuals, including the LGBT population; and
Whereas, being “out” and visible is the most important action members of the
LGBT community can engage in to provide positive role models, and
support to both young and older individuals who may be struggling
with their sexual orientation; and
Whereas, from generation to generation, ordinary Americans have led a proud
march toward freedom, fairness, and full equality under the law – not
just for some, BUT FOR ALL.

Now, therefore, I, Aaron K. Householter, Mayor of the City of Salina, Kansas, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2014 as “LGBT PRIDE MONTH”in the City of Salina. I urge every citizen of Salina to join me in celebrating the diversity and character of our community and highlight the importance of LGBT citizens in making this city a safer and more welcoming community for everyone.