San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Rivas and Supervisor Margie Barrios will host a town hall meeting on Oct. 26 to present a draft resolution that discourages discrimination against LGBTQ members of the community. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Board Chambers, 481 Fourth St., in Hollister.
The public is welcome and encouraged by the county supervisors to attend.
Here is the proposed language of the resolution, in which the County of San Benito is “recognizing the need to discourage discrimination against the LGBTQ members of our community.”
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ members of the San Benito County community have made great contributions to the economy, business, leadership, diversity, arts and culture of this community;
WHEREAS, On June 28, 2013 same-sex marriages became legal in California after years of court battles;
WHEREAS, On June 26, 2015 the United States Supreme Court declared same-sex marriages to be legal in every state;
WHEREAS, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of providing a safe and tolerant community, free from discrimination and violence toward any members of the community;
WHEREAS, the United States has witnessed the potential results of intolerance evidenced by the June 12, 2016 shooting of an Orlando night club where 49 individuals were murdered and 53 others were injured;
WHEREAS, research shows youth who are perceived to be LGBTQ are at a greater risk of being targeted, harassed, and bullied in school, and experience risk of suicide at a rate that is 2 to 3 times higher than their straight peers;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the San Benito County Board of Supervisors that the Board of Supervisors wishes to promote and provide a welcoming and tolerant atmosphere for those LGBTQ members of our community;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the San Benito County Board of Supervisors discourages and deplores any discrimination, harassment or violence toward LGBTQ members of the San Benito County Community because of their sexual orientation or otherwise.
DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED this ____Â day of October, 2016 by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Benito, by the following vote:
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