06/02/2025
WHEREAS, William Penn founded Pennsylvania on the principles of fairness, tolerance, and understanding inclusion for all, and the rich cultural fabric of our Commonwealth has been woven by people from all different backgrounds and walks of life; and
WHEREAS, we thrive when we celebrate the diversity that makes our communities stronger, and our LGBTQ+ individuals have played significant roles in Pennsylvania’s economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development while working tirelessly to maintain and promote their culture and history; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people deserve respect and opportunity to fully participate inclusion in our society, free of bias or stigma, so that they and all Pennsylvanians may thrive together and, although tremendous progress has been made in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, more work needs to be done to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity; and
WHEREAS, my Administration will continue to protect and defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of our transgender students and LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians from any harmful policies or hateful rhetoric to ensure that Pennsylvania remains a place that is warm and welcoming for all; and
WHEREAS, every Pennsylvanian deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed – the kind of freedom that comes when you live in a Commonwealth that respects you for who you are, no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, and who you pray to; and
WHEREAS, there is the urgent need for legislation that would prohibit LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians from being denied housing, public accommodations, and employment based on their sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, these are essential steps to building a better, stronger Commonwealth – one where all Pennsylvanians receive equal protection under the law and where we all unite and denounce violence towards LGBTQ+ individuals, promote self-affirmation, dignity, and equality, mobilize communities, and expand real freedom in our Commonwealth.
THEREFORE, I, Josh Shapiro, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim June 2025 to be PRIDE MONTH in recognition of the tireless efforts of LGBTQ+ individuals, advocates, and heroes across our Commonwealth. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to celebrate this important observance and continue to work toward liberty and justice for all.
