The Avalon City Council issued a proclamation recognizing June as LGBTQIA-plus month.
The proclamation comes before the annual Avalon Pride Celebration set for June 15.
The text called on the residents of Avalon to embrace the principal that every individual dignity and worth.
Councilmember Michael Ponce read the City Council proclamation Tuesday night, June 4.
“Whereas Pride Month recognizes the impact of the LBGTQIA+ Community historically
locally nationally and globally and
“Whereas we stand together with the LBGTQIA+ plus community of Avalon as they declare their pride in who they are and whom they love not only at The Pride Celebration on June 15th 2024 but every day and
“Whereas all people regardless of sexuality gender identity age ability race religion marital status national origin or physical challenges have the right to feel safe in their Community not to be discriminated against and to live without the threat of harassment and
“Whereas the diverse LBGTQIA+ community continues to contribute to the widespread academic, economic, artistic, and social sphere within and around the greater community and
“Whereas this nation was founded on the principle that every individual has infinite dignity and worth and the City of Avalon call upon the people of this municipality to embrace this principle and to work to eliminate prejudice everywhere exists and
“Whereas celebrating pride influences awareness and provide support and advocacy for Avalon’s LBGTQIA+ community and is an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue to strengthen alliances build acceptance and Advance equal rights now therefore be it resolved that the city council of the city of Avalon declares the month of June 2024 as LBGTQIA+ Pride Month and urges residents to recognize the contributions made by members of the LBGTQIA+ a plus community and to actively promote the principles of equality liberty and justice dated this fourth day of June 2024.”
Jim Luttjohann, president and chief executive officer of Love Catalina Island/Tourism Authority spoke to the issue during the public comment part of the council meeting.
“The importance of celebrating pride has been driven home for me this year, in particular due to a significant uptick in the LBGTQIA+ plus rhetoric being circulated online in the news and sadly into my inbox and phone lines,” Luttjohann said.
“I thank you as our city leaders for being on the right side of history the right side of the issue and for embracing an important segment of your community and the visitors who come here in such a welcoming way,” Luttjohann said.
“If a member of the community or visitor somehow is somehow put off by an annual one-day celebration on the Island, I would ask them to simply avoid the festivities for that
day and to allow those of us who wish to celebrate to do so freely and happily on the other side of the issue,” Luttjohann said.
“I have been touched by many members of the community who have felt the need to share with me that they have a member of their family or friends who have been the victims of some of that same hatred this year and so that gives me the resolve even more so to celebrate on June 15th and to do so with all of you and with dignity and with pride,” Luttjohann said.
