From: John Hanson Sent: Monday, June 28, 2021 9:22 AM To: PATCO_PERSONNEL; DRPA Cc: Mike Williams Subject: A Message about Pride Month Attachments: Recognizing Pride Month FINALPDF.pdf Colleagues, Today (June 28) marks the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, which took place in 1969. The events at The Stonewall Inn launched the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement into the national spotlight and led to our country’s first gay pride parade in 1970. Pride Month is celebrated annually in June. It is a time to recognize the valuable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to our country. PRIDE is about reflecting on the injustices this community continues to experience, breaking down barriers, creating a diverse and inclusive society, promoting equality, and affirming a commitment to being a strong ally. At DRPA and PATCO, we have a long‐standing commitment to full equality of opportunity and to creating and maintaining an environment which is harassment free. This is the absolute right of every employee and applicant for employment; we will never waiver on this policy. We recognize that our diverse community of colleagues is a source of strength and richness. This is clearly expressed in our Equal Opportunity Policy. In addition, our shared values of Fairness & Equity and Diversity & Inclusion reaffirm that each of us is entitled to equal opportunity. I am proud to work for an organization whose values demand that we embrace our diversity and differences as virtues and strengths. Our values oblige us to recognize and nurture the promise represented by every member of the community; every one of our colleagues, co‐workers, vendors and contractors, bridge users, and train riders. As we increase our level of connection to our community and co‐workers, we improve the quality and level of service that we provide to each other. This work begins with awareness, education, and empathy for others. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the landmark case of Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia. That case secured important workplace protections for LGBTQ+ individuals under federal law. While that case marked significant progress for our country, I am pleased to report that long before the Bostock case, DRPA/PATCO’s Policy against Sex Harassment prohibited acts of harassment based on “sex, sexual orientation and gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual).” 1 Please take a few minutes to read the attached slide deck prepared by Chief Administrative Officer Toni P. Brown. In the deck, she explains the history of Pride Month, the evolution of the Pride flag, and what it means to be an ALLY to the LGBTQ+ community. You will also see pictures of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the PATCO concourse at 9th/10 Street station lit in rainbow colors for PRIDE. Photographs of the lit bridge and concourse have been and will continue to be featured in our social media posts. In closing, as Pride Month winds down, I want every employee to know that, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you are welcome, valued, and this is a safe place to work. Kind regards, John 2 Recognizing PRIDE Month Created by: Toni P. Brown, Chief Administrative Officer June 2021 There’s nothing complicated about equality.” (Alice Paul) 2 1. The History of Pride Month It all started with the Stonewall Uprising in New York City on June 28, 1969. History of Pride Month ▪ Pride Month is recognized in June to coincide with the Stonewall Uprising. ▪ On June 28, 1969, police raided The Stonewall Inn, a popular gay club in New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood. At the time in NYC, The Stonewall Inn was one of the few establishments to welcome gay patrons. ▪ Raids at the Inn were commonplace, but on this evening the patrons and supporters were fed up with the neverending harassment and discrimination and they fought back. 4 History of Pride Month ▪ Riots and protests continued for days throughout New York City. ▪ This uprising marked the beginning of a movement to eliminate laws and practices that discriminate against LGBTQ Americans. ▪ A year later, on June 28, thousands of people marched from The Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was then called “Christopher Street Liberation Day.” This marked what is now recognized as our country’s first gay pride parade. 5 History of Pride Month ▪ The Stonewall events were a turning point in the LGBTQ rights movement and in our nation’s history. ▪ Since 1970, LGBTQ+ people and allies have continued to gather together across the nation in June to march with pride and demonstrate for equal rights. 6 History of Pride Month Interesting Fact: The Stonewall Inn has not been in continuous operation since the uprising. The original owner went out of business in late 1969, just months after the uprising. In the 1970s and 80s, the space was used as a bagel shop, a shoe store, and a Chinese restaurant. Half of the building reopened as a bar called Stonewall in the early 1990s, and the entire building was put into use for a new Stonewall Inn in 2007. 7 The Stonewall Inn – A National Monument The Stonewall Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, declared a historic landmark by the City of New York in 2015, and later named a National Monument by President Obama in 2016. This ensures that the Inn will not be altered or torn down. 8 2. What is Pride Month? For decades, Pride Month has been celebrated in June across the United States. Pride Month ▪ Originally, the word ‘Pride’ was an acronym that stood for Personal Rights in Defense and Education, an organization started in 1966 to fight for equal rights in California. ▪ Pride Month is commonly called Pride for short. 10 Pride Month ▪ Pride is a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity ▪ During Pride Month, festivities, parades and other events are thrown to honor Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)voices and experiences. ▪ Pride is a time to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought – and continue to fight – for full equality. ▪ But Pride is also a time to draw attention to the issues members of the LGBTQ community have endured and still face. 11 Pride Month ▪ It’s a time that we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals across America and reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. ▪ THE WHITE HOUSE: A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, 2021 12 Equality & a Safe Space ▪ Pride Month is a reminder that LGBTQ+ people are here and deserve the same rights as everyone else. ▪ Pride creates a safe space for individuals, especially those who don't feel safe. 13 Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community where it really counts.” (Barbara Gittings) 14 3. The Evolution of the Pride Flag The rainbow flag, created by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, is widely know as the first symbol of Pride. 1978 Pride Flag – a ‘Symbol of Hope’ ▪ In 1978, Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, asked artist Gilbert Baker to create a Pride flag. Gilbert wanted to create "something that was positive.” A Rainbow Flag was a conscious choice. It was considered a symbol of hope. 16 1978–1999 Pride Flag ▪ After Harvey Milk’s assassination in 1978, demand for the flag increased. Gilbert found the pink color hard to locate, so to keep up with demand, he decreased the number of colors on the flag from eight to seven. 17 Another Change to the Pride Flag ▪ Many organizations and businesses use this flag as a symbol to show that their establishment is a safe space for everyone in the community. The pink and turquoise from Gilbert’s original flag were excluded to make the flag easier to mass produce. 18 4. The Philly Pride Flag Philadelphia redesigned the Pride flag in 2017 to include the colors black and brown. Philadelphia’s People of Color Inclusive Flag ▪ This flag was created in 2017 to give representation to black and brown people in the LGBTQ community and to shed light on the unique challenges they face. 20 I hope we all remember that everybody is worthy of respect. Everybody is worthy of rights. Everybody is worthy of kindness.” (Professor Martha Brenckle) 21 5. Pride Flag Reboot: New Progress Pride Flag Designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018 In 2020, Prides, brands and activists around the world began adopting the “The Progress Flag” as the new symbol for the community. Understanding the Progress Pride Flag 23 Progress – Historic Supreme Court Ruling ▪ In 2020, In Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that LGBTQ+ individuals are entitled to anti-discrimination protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 24 I believe that we all have the right to expect a workplace where everyone is treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Nothing less will be tolerated.” (John T. Hanson, CEO Statement on Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion – January 2020) 25 6. Be an ALLY Allies help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect. 27 The Straight ALLY Flag 28 29 Thanks! Any questions? You can find me at: ▪ [email protected] 30 Sources ▪ https://people.com/human-interest/pride-month-explained-pride-month-facts/?amp=true ▪ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/06/03/what-pride-month-means-look-history-lgbtq- celebration/7504029002/ ▪ https://www.ucf.edu/news/why-do-we-celebrate-pride-month-in-june-and-lgbt-history-month-in- october/ ▪ https://www.bhg.com/holidays/traditions/pride/pride-month-history/ ▪ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2020/07/12/why-lgbt-people-have-started-using-a-new- pride-flag-nhs-black-lives-matters/?sh=a9c3f31125a1 ▪ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/01/a-proclamation-on- lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-pride-month-2021/ ▪ https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/how-to-explain-pride-month-to-a-child/ 31 Ben Franklin Bridge Lit for PRIDE 32 PATCO Concourse at 9/10th Lit for PRIDE 33.