BUCKHANNON — Buckhannon mayor Robbie Skinner on Friday signed a proclamation declaring June 2021 Pride Month throughout the City of Buckhannon.

Attending the Pride proclamation ceremony are, from left, Laura Foulks, Opportunity House executive director Matt Kerner, Skinner, Seth Stemple, Anne Chopyak and Lee Barbo.

According to the Library of Congress, LGBTQ Pride Month is celebrated annually in June in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, New York. The Stonewall Uprising was a galvanizing point for the gay liberation movement in the U.S., and the first Pride march in New York City took place June 28, 1970, on the uprising’s one-year anniversary.

The proclamation appears in full below:

WHEREAS, the events that unfolded in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City, began a movement that would change the social justice landscape in America, and around the world; and,
WHEREAS, June 28, 2021, marks the 52nd anniversary of the beginning of the Stonewall uprising in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, and consequently, also the 52nd anniversary of the birth of the LGBTQ Pride movement; and,

WHEREAS, the month of June is therefore recognized each year as Pride Month, celebrating diversity and inclusion of ALL human beings throughout our world; and,
WHEREAS, Buckhannon and Upshur County value and appreciate the significant contributions made by members of the LGBTQ community, who help to create a strong, vibrant, and attractive city and county for residents and visitors alike to enjoy; and,

WHEREAS, the fabric of our community is strengthened by the values of inclusion, justice, diversity, acceptance, love, and kindness, not only during this month of remembrance, patronage, and recognition, but throughout each month and year; and,

WHEREAS, Pride Month affirms that members of the LGBTQ community should be celebrated for who they are and take pride in their identities and the value they bring to our community; and,

WHEREAS, on May 2, 2013, the Buckhannon City Council adopted a resolution declaring that the City government will never discriminate against its employees or its citizens on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity; and,

WHEREAS, I, as Mayor of the City of Buckhanon, affirm and ratify this resolution, and declare that the City of Buckhannon continues to be a place where ALL are welcome, where ALL are protected, and where ALL are valued in the lawful exercise of their rights, privileges, and immunities as citizens of this City, the State of West Virginia, and the United States of America.

NOW, therefor I, Robert Neal Skinner, III, do hereby PROCLAIM and DECLARE, that the City of Buckhannon officially recognizes the entire month of June as “Pride Month” throughout our community as we celebrate diversity, acceptance, and inclusion; given under my hand & the official seal of the City of Buckhannon, this 4th day of June, 2021.