On Saturday Virginia Young Republicans passed a resolution, on a 19 to 5 vote, recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month and celebrating the individual identity of each member of the LGBT community:
Whereas June is widely recognized as LGBT Pride Month, promoting equality and acceptance for members of the LGBT community; and
Whereas the Republican Party is committed to the individual liberty and wellbeing of every American, including LGBT citizens, and
Whereas the Virginia Republican Creed asserts “that all individuals are entitled to equal rights, justice, and opportunities and should assume their responsibilities as citizens in a free society;” and
Whereas the Republican Party recognizes that individuals should be empowered to make decisions for themselves without undue intervention from government or society; and
Whereas such freedom must include the ability of each person be who they want, to love whom they want, and to express oneself how they want; and
Whereas, LGBT Pride Month is a time to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community, but, in the past, it has often not reflected the political diversity of the LGBT community; and
Whereas identity politics has been used to ostracize LGBT Republicans and make other LGBT citizens falsely believe that holding liberal political views is the only way to stay true to their community; and
Whereas the struggle for LGBT equality was built upon the fundamental belief that LGBT individuals must have the freedom to live their lives as they see fit; and
Whereas that same principle demands that the political freedom of LGBT individuals must also be respected,
Now be it therefore resolved that the Young Republican Federation of Virginia recognizes June as LGBT Pride month, supporting equality and acceptance for LGBT individuals; and
Be it further resolved that the Young Republican Federation of Virginia honors the individual identity of each member of the LGBT community, respecting their sexual orientation and gender identity along with all the other characteristics that together form the totality of who they are as a person; and
Be it further resolved that, in the spirit of the struggle for LGBT equality, the Young Republican Federation of Virginia emphatically rejects the premise that one’s identity as an LGBT person is contingent on holding liberal viewpoints or opinions.
