Council Legislation

Proposed Resolution No. R2023-102

Title: A Proclamation of the Pierce County Council Proclaiming the Month of July as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pierce County, Washington.

Status: Final Consideration

Sponsors: Councilmembers


Documents
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Public Comments

Name Date Comment
Zenna 7/5/23 9:02 AM Proposed Resolution No. R2023-102 Month of July as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" LGBTQ+ Accomplishments - Freedom to Choose or Never Able to Choose again Greetings Council Members, Executive and Pierce County Residents, - [ ] Whereas, the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans continue to be under attack nationwide, as several states have adopted harmful legislation banning books with LGBTQ+ topics and characters, prohibiting the acknowledgement of queer identities in the classroom, and banning vital gender affirming care for trans youth and criminalizing parents/providers seeking to help their children live as their authentic selves; Maybe I am wrong? If I am, please humor me and help me understand. I think there is a misunderstanding about what “gender affirming care” is with the LGBTQ+ community as well as the public in general. Washington State is clearly NOT one of those states banning anything LGBTQ+ and will go to the point of sequestering a small child from their family to assure”gender affirming care” is accomplished. Let’s take a look. Senate Bill 5599 goes into law July 23, 2023. This bill gives Washington State the authority to create a system to “shelter/sequester” minors/children/youth that have been convinced by adults that they need to seek “Gender Affirming Care”. What is “Gender Affirming Care”? It is the permanent removal of natural, born with body parts that generate hormones for healthy bodies, brains and pleasure. The gender organs removed are: Penis Testicles Uterus Vagina Clitoris Ovaries Labia Breasts Adams Apple, hair, voice… The removal of these parts from a child’s body is permanent and irreversible. Their body is no longer able to naturally produce hormones. Their body is no longer able to experience sexual pleasure. Their body is no longer able to naturally reproduce and have a generational family. The results is an outward and internal genderless child with illness and painful, never healing surgical wounds. A body with no ability to CHOOSE ever again. The child’s body has been carved up into a genderless state of being. Is this “authentic self”? Descriptions of the surgeries and never ending complications are available on line. The University of Washington Medical Center and Children’s Hospital have doctors and staff excited to assist any child. With all that stated, please help me and the rest of Pierce County to understand the goal: “Authentic Self” Is it to affirm a choice of male or female? Or is it to NOT choose male or female, but to be genderless? The fake appendages and cavities the doctors claim to make are not real sex organs and they are not able to experience any pleasurable sexual sensation. According to the literature, fake vaginas and penises are seen by the body as wounds and are constantly painful and prone to infection. Fake vaginas are constantly trying to close and heal so “painful and messy daily treatments” (as described by Mt Sinai Transgender Clinic) dilation devices have to be inserted to keep the wound from closing up. Urinary problems are very common requiring the person to wear diapers. ( Just asking the question, has it been considered that post surgery complications are reasons for suicide? That the promise of brand new real sex organs confirming your new identity aren’t real and don’t work, hurt and contain no pleasure?) We are talking here about children being influenced by adults to make a permanent life time decision. A child does not understand the world of adulthood and consequences. So why is “gender affirming care” vital especially for youth? Please help me understand. Per the resolution R2023-102 the LGBTQ+ Pride community is clearly in support of “gender affirming care”. Why would “Authentic Self” have such devastating consequences? The residents of Pierce County are becoming increasingly aware of the reality of “gender affirming care” surgeries and don’t understand why anyone would desire that outcome for anyone. Again please help us understand. At this point, from the available information, a vote to continue to support LGBTQ+ Pride through July will align the character of the people in Pierce County with the goal of Senate Bill 5599 allowing the State of Washington to “shelter/sequester“ youth, children, minors for the sake of performing gender organ removal surgeries which will destroy the health and future of a child. The “vital gender affirming care” supported by the LGBTQ+ community needs to be explained and justified. Reject Resolution R2023-102 and maybe revisit in a different way. We have already spent the month of June on this topic. Remember: Disagreement is not a state of being “under attack”. It is an opportunity to find a better solution, an opportunity for discussion not a way to end discussion. Everyone needs to be respected as a person, a human being, it goes both ways. Respect to respect. Just as these words are recoded toward this resolution as public testimony, I would like to have the Council members in support of the LGBTQ+ “vital gender affirming care” publicly respond in writing as part of public record. This cause appears to be important to you and I and many others would like to understand. Please take this opportunity for discussion. Respectfully, Zenna Dunning
Thomas L Mendenhall 7/3/24 6:00 AM Month of July as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" LGBTQ+ Accomplishments is WRONG! It singles out a very small part of the population (see the National statistics website) based on SEX or its CHOICE. According to our own laws any law that is dissimilatory on gender is unlawful. Is Pierce County Council celebrating Heterosexual Month! The answer is no. Some might say that they don't celebrate it because its a normal thing or its celebrated year round. If it is the normal thing then why is the Pierce County endorsing unnormal things. Also if its celebrated year round why has not Pierce County Council endorsed it and where the Heterosexual flag? It's about equality correct. We I do not see equality here in this Proclamation of the Pierce County Council, I see special interest. This is WRONG!
Mary Baker 7/4/24 8:31 AM Why is another pride month needed? Was the whole month of June not enough? Even that is ridiculous. People are tired of having this stuff shoved in their faces all the time. We don’t care about other’s sexuality. We really don’t. They already have equal rights and are free to live how they want as long as they aren’t hurting anyone. The pride flag should not be flown in front of govt buildings. We already have a flag that unites us and includes EVERYONE. It is all inclusive. The pride flag, on the other hand, is exclusive. Please put an end to this nonsense.
Claudia Hoffman 7/8/24 10:55 AM I oppose the proclamation of making July the month of celebrating a sinful life style such as “pride” no month or time should be set aside to celebrate such dysfunction! Do not ruin our country with such SIN !
Heather Benedict 5/30/25 7:26 PM Pride Month reminds us to celebrate inclusion, equity, and dignity—values Pierce County claims to uphold. But when the Council quietly confirmed a DEI hire for Clerk who wasn’t even a registered voter, and then handed out a $1 million payout after complaints, it makes you wonder: is this government practicing what it preaches? Real pride isn’t just waving flags in July—it’s standing up for transparency, accountability, and equal treatment for all, even the taxpayers footing the bill.