A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

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                                 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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To Recognize and Honor the Human Rights Advocacy of Dr. Frank Kameny and To Recognize the District's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Celebrations.

    WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Kameny is a trailblazing activist for the rights and recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the District of Columbia and our Nation; and

    WHEREAS, the federal government investigators misused an arrest record in 1957 to separate Dr. Frank Kameny from a Defense Department position and squelched his lifelong dream of aiding aerospace navigation and space exploration; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Kameny spoke out against antigay discrimination when so many others were harassed into silence and has worked tirelessly for decades from his home here in the District to end the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the federal workforce; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Kameny took his brave fight to the press, to the streets, and into the courts as a self‑taught legal advocate succeeded in winning nondiscrimination policies encompassing the federal civil service and the District of Columbia covering sexual orientation so that the public service does not squander the contributions of talented individuals due to factors unrelated to their expertise; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Kameny's career as a true freedom fighter has underscored the triple threats to the freedoms of all Americans posed by government intrusion, misuse and manipulation of information, and the abuse of power by government officials to impugn the dignity, morality, and patriotism of loyal, hardworking Americans; and

    WHEREAS, recent efforts to weaken nondiscrimination policies covering the federal civil service to permit antigay discrimination and to erode protections on privacy highlight the continuing risks to civil liberties as well as the enduring achievements of Dr. Kameny's career; and

    WHEREAS, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution have recognized the value of Kameny's contributions to American society by acquiring his papers and other important memorabilia of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement, allowing present and future generations to understand his accomplishments and connections with other civil‑rights movements; and

    WHEREAS, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Dr. Kameny's crusade to redeem the full promise of the United States Constitution that all Americans might experience equal protection of the law and enjoy a full measure of freedom; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Kameny is a living hero, who coined the memorable phrase "A Gay Is Good," and in whom all District residents can be proud;

    BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this Resolution may be cited as the "Dr. Frank Kameny Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Recognition Resolution of 2007"

    Sec. 2.  The Council of the District of Columbia salutes Dr. Frank Kameny for his leadership and countless achievements in advancing the noble causes of freedom and equality for all District residents and all Americans on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the commencement of his struggle, and recognizes and honors his contributions during the District's diverse pride celebrations as an example and inspiration to us all.

    Sec. 3.  This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.

 

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