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RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DULUTH SUPERIOR PRIDE AND SUPPORTING THE NQT2SLGBIA+ COMMUNITIES.
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BY COUNCILORS AWAL, FORSMAN, AND DURRWACHTER:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth proudly recognizes and celebrates the rich diversity, resilience, and contributions of the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual communities;
WHEREAS, Duluth Superior Pride, organized by the community annually at the end of August, serves as a celebration of love, visibility, and equity for all people, and reflects the commitment of Duluth and our neighboring community of Superior, Wisconsin, to creating a welcoming and affirming region for all residents;
WHEREAS, Duluth has a deep and enduring queer history, from the quiet strength of early gay and lesbian activists organizing in the 1970s, to the establishment of queer student groups at the University of Minnesota Duluth and the College of St. Scholastica and the formation of community hubs such as the Aurora Northland Lesbian Center, Northland Gay Men’s Center, and others in the 1980s and 1990s, and the founding of Duluth Superior Pride in 1986 as one of the few bi-state Pride celebrations in the nation;
WHEREAS, Duluth created the Duluth Nonbinary, Queer, Trans, Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, and Asexual Commission as promulgated and codified in Sections 2-192 to 2-195 of the Duluth City Code, to advise the mayor, city council, city departments and the community at large about issues related to services, policies, procedures, and facilities concerning nonbinary and binary, queer, trans, two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, and asexual (NQT2SLGBIA+) communities. The NQT2SLGBIA Commission also provides consultation to the Office of Human Rights on complaints that involve gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and conversion therapy; encourage and attract NQT2SLGBIA+ businesses to the City of Duluth; and provide consultation and support on improving healthcare accessibility and gender affirming care for the NQT2SLGBIA+ communities;
WHEREAS, in 2001 Duluth passed a Human Rights Ordinance, codified as Chapter 29C of the Duluth City Code, to prohibit discrimination based on several protected categories, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, status with respect to public assistance, disability and familial status. The Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination with respect to education, employment, public accommodations, public services and housing, real property and the obtaining of credit;
WHEREAS, Chapter 29C of the Duluth City Code also created the Human Rights Commission to combat discrimination and promote civil and human rights in a variety of ways, such as identifying and reviewing policies and practices of the city and its boards and commissions, collaborating with the public and private sectors to foster awareness, education and guidance on methods to eliminate discrimination citywide, to serve as a forum for the ongoing discussion of human rights issues that engages the broader community, and to receive complaints of violations;
WHEREAS, Chapter 29C of the Duluth City Code also created the position of Human Rights Officer, now known as the Human Rights and Equity Officer. The powers and duties of the Human Rights and Equity Officer include assisting the Human Rights Commission in performing its duties, providing training for city staff, elected officials, boards and commissions, investigating discrimination complaints, administering programs related to discrimination, providing resources to public and private organizations about discrimination and remedies plus other duties;
WHEREAS, gender identity and sexual orientation are protected categories under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) codified in Chapter 363A of the Minnesota Statutes. The MHRA is one of the strongest civil rights laws in the country, prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business;
WHEREAS, the city’s Human Rights Ordinance incorporates the Minnesota Human Rights Act as it may be amended from time to time;
WHEREAS, Duluth recognizes that the municipal code includes gender identity as a protected category under Duluth’s anti-discrimination provisions;
WHEREAS, in 2009 Duluth passed the Human Rights and Domestic Partnerships Ordinance, which created a process for persons to declare themselves domestic partners and providing a government-based foundation for such relationships;
WHEREAS, in 2019 Duluth passed Ordinance 19-071-0 prohibiting conversion therapy for minors, making Duluth the second city in Minnesota to prohibit counseling that seeks to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity;
WHEREAS, Duluth Superior Pride has grown from a grassroots gathering to a region-wide, multi-day festival encompassing art, performance, community education, worship, political advocacy, and joyful celebration, and commits to continues to center the voices of those most marginalized within the queer community, including BIPOC and transgender individuals;
WHEREAS, Duluth recognizes significant milestones in local NQT2SLGBIA+ history, including the formation of organizations such as Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault’s (PAVSA), the 2SLGBTQIA+ Advocacy program, the establishment of the Equality Walk and Transgender Day of Remembrance vigils, Trans Day of Visibility and Trans Joy Fest and the continued work of local leaders and allies to protect and advance the rights of queer residents;
WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota identified itself as a “Trans Refuge State” by enacting legislation, codified as Minn. Stats. Section 543.23, which prevents out-of-state laws from interfering in the practice of gender affirming healthcare in Minnesota;
WHEREAS, discrimination, prejudice, and legislative threats continue to target NQT2SLGBIA+ people — particularly Black, Indigenous, and transgender individuals — leading to marginalization, fear, and inequitable access to resources and opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Pride is both a celebration and a call to action — a reminder that liberation is not yet fully achieved, and that our communities must continue to fight for policies, culture, and institutions that reflect the humanity of all people.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Duluth reaffirms its commitment to non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all city policies, practices, and services, consistent with applicable state and local laws.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Duluth is committed to promoting the safety and well-being of its NQT2SLGBIA+ residents and visitors, ensuring equitable access to public services, accommodations, and opportunities without fear of harassment or discrimination.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Duluth encourages and supports efforts to raise public awareness and promote understanding and acceptance of the NQT2SLGBIA+ communities within the city.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Duluth does hereby recognize and celebrate the Duluth Superior Pride Festival and affirms its unwavering support for the NQT2SLGBIA+ communities in Duluth and beyond.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NQT2SLGBIA+ Commission, or successor, and the Human Rights Commission will maintain, update at least once every two years, and share a NQT2SLGBIA+ community resource directory to ensure residents and visitors have access to accurate and current information.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Duluth commits to encouraging and supporting community partners toward the creation of a trans and queer welcoming hub within the next five years, serving as a central space for resources, cultural events, advocacy, and community connection.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Duluth encourages all residents, employers, and businesses to honor queer history, support NQT2SLGBIA+ individuals in their daily lives, and join in the ongoing work of building a more inclusive and joyful future for all.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution supports the Duluth Superior Pride celebration and reaffirms the city’s commitment to protect and enforce non-discrimination laws in the city. This resolution also commits the city to supporting and encouraging community partners in the creation of a trans and queer welcoming hub within the next 5 years. The NQT2SLGBIA+ Commission, or successor and the Human Rights Commission are tasked with maintaining and updating a NQT2SLGBIA+ community resource directory to ensure residents and visitors have access to accurate and current information.