A resolution recently approved by the Nashville and Davidson County Metro Council officially recognizes June 2017 as 'Nashville Pride Month.'
The resolution, which identifies Nashville Pride by its original, incorporated name "Our Pride Encompasses Nashville," identifies the annual festival as one of the largest public weekend festivals in Middle Tennessee.
Co-sponsors of the resolution include Mina Johnson, Burkley Allen, Nancy VanReece, along with Brett Withers, who posted the photo above to Facebook on Wednesday with the following caption:
During last night's meeting the Metro Council presented Phil Cobucci and the Nashville Pride board with a signed copy of resolution RS2017-744. Thanks to the Nashville Pride organization for all that you do to bring people from Nashville and across the Middle Tennessee area together. Happy Pride, Nashville!
The full text of the official resolution is posted to the Nashville government website ... but you can read it right here too:
A Resolution recognizing Thursday, June 1 to Friday, June, 30, 2017 as “Nashville Pride Month”, celebrating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities and their enormous contributions to the quality of life in Nashville and Davidson County.
WHEREAS, Our Pride Encompasses Nashville (Nashville Pride) has been a strong advocate and supporter of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities throughout Middle Tennessee and is celebrating Nashville Pride in the city of Nashville; and
WHEREAS, the city of Nashville is honored to welcome members of the LGBT community and their allies to celebrate a very special and important event honoring the diversity, inclusion, and history of the pride and gay rights movement; and
WHEREAS, the theme for this year's Nashville Pride is "Forward Together" which evokes the history of the LGBT rights movement and the history of Nashville Pride. The Nashville Pride celebration and movement continues to grow and celebrates inclusion as a necessary ingredient to making Nashville and the United States truly diverse. Nashville Pride has grown immensely and is now one of the largest public weekend festivals in Middle Tennessee, reminding us to embrace what makes each individual unique and to use those qualities to change the world for the better; and
WHEREAS, the Pride movement has an auspicious history in the U.S. and Nashville. Early on the morning of Saturday, 28 June 1969, LGBT persons rioted following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar at 43 Christopher Street in New York City. In Nashville, the first pride parade took place in 1988, not with a riot but as a positive stance against discrimination and violence toward LGBT people. The parade promoted self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, and increased the visibility of LGBT persons as a social group to build community. This June will mark the 29th consecutive Pride event in Nashville; and
WHEREAS, the city of Nashville would like to thank the Nashville Pride Board of Directors, Working Groups, Sponsors and all of the volunteers for their continued support and commitment to the mission of Nashville Pride over the past 28 years.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Thursday, June 1 through Friday, June 30, 2017 to be “Nashville Pride Month” in Nashville, celebrating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities and their enormous contributions to the quality of life in the City of Nashville.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Nashville Pride Board of Directors.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.