FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/26/2015
Councilmember Sawant’s Statement on Supreme Court Marriage Ruling
SEATTLE – Councilmember Kshama Sawant released the following statement regarding the United States Supreme Court ruling on marriage today:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision marks a historic victory for the movement for LGBTQ justice. Here in Seattle, we will celebrate marriage equality this Pride weekend, starting at tonight’s third-annual Trans* Pride and ending on Sunday at the citywide Pride Parade.
“The court’s decision shows the power of the LGBTQ mass movement in driving forward this change. It is no accident that the Supreme Court’s rulings both today and in the overturning of DOMA in 2013 came just days before the massive annual LGBTQ Pride celebrations. It is no accident that the major steps forward in marriage equality took place after hundreds of thousands across the U.S. protested in 2009 in response to California’s Proposition 8.
“Let us use this momentum to address the ongoing injustices LGBTQ people face every day: in their workplaces, in finding affordable housing, in being pushed out of their communities by big developers, and in confronting hate crimes and police brutality. In 29 states, it is still legal to fire someone because of their sexual orientation. Transgender people in particular experience especially high rates of poverty, unemployment, and hate crimes, including murder.
“While we celebrate, we recognize how far our movement has to go to win full LGBTQ justice.
“The movement in Seattle is fighting back against hate crimes and gentrification. We need an end to LGBTQ homelessness, and full shelter funding to provide beds for all LGBTQ youth. We also need an LGTBQ community center – Seattle is one of few major cities without one. We need to end the massive displacement being driven by big developers. Gentrification threatens to push this community out of their historic home in Capitol Hill, along with the LGBTQ small businesses that are also being displaced.
“This weekend’s Pride events will be a historic celebration of decades of LGBTQ activism in the fight for equality. This victory should also be a launching point for building a powerful movement to address the culture of discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ people, women, and people of color. This means uniting and working together to overcome the domination of society by the 1%. Let’s cut across all the ‘divide and rule’ methods used against us.
“We will not rest until we win full equality and justice for LGBTQ people, and all those who face discrimination under this system.
“I hope you’ll join me at the Trans*Pride celebration tonight and the Pride Parade on Sunday.”
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