File #: Res 0499-2014    Version: * Name: Establishment of a commission to study the potential creation of a national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Museum.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 12/8/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling for the establishment of a commission to study the potential creation of a national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Museum.
Sponsors: Daniel Dromm , James G. Van Bramer, Margaret S. Chin, Costa G. Constantinides, Rosie Mendez, Annabel Palma, Carlos Menchaca, Ydanis A. Rodriguez
Council Member Sponsors: 8

Res. No. 499

 

Resolution calling for the establishment of a commission to study the potential creation of a national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Museum.

 

By Council Members Dromm, Van Bramer, Chin, Constantinides, Mendez, Palma, Menchaca and Rodriguez

 

Whereas, According to the United States Census, approximately 594,000 same-sex couple households lived in the United States in 2010, with 32,972 of these households in New York, up from 25,906 in 2000; and

Whereas, In fact, New York City recorded a 27 percent increase in the number of same-sex couples over the last ten years, according to the latest data from the 2010 Census; and

Whereas, According to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Demographics Report published September 2014, findings from various national surveys showed that the percent of adults who identify as LGBT ranged from 2.2% to 4.0%, implying that between 5.2 million and 9.5 million individuals aged 18 and older identify as part of the LGBT community in the United States; and

 Whereas, The growing LGBT community deserves equal recognition for its contributions to society designated in a place where all feel welcome, but does not have a specific museum to celebrate this community; and

Whereas, Although the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. is embracing the LGBT community by including materials documenting the history of the community to a collection within its museum as of August 2014, a national LGBT Museum is necessary to give full recognition to the contributions of the LGBT community in a specific and permanent allocated environment; and 

Whereas, In response to this lack of celebration and inclusiveness to LGBT communities, it is important to embrace diversity by establishing a Congressional Commission (the “Commission”) to study the potential creation of a LGBT History Museum; and

Whereas, The location of New York City for such Museum is significant as New York City is considered the birthplace for global gay rights movements which paved the way for future members of the LGBT community to stand against oppression and to become recognized as equal members in society; and

Whereas, The Commission would be required to report recommendations for a plan of feasibility for creating a LGBT History Museum in New York City; and

Whereas, According to the Velvet Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a National LGBT Museum, as a result of the LGBT culture being invisible to most mainstream museums, the location of New York City for such museum to tell the LGBT story would most effectively reach both national and international audiences; and

Whereas, Creating the Commission would guarantee a commitment to embracing the importance of cultural diversity found within New York City while celebrating the contributions of the growing LGBT population; and

Whereas, It is of great importance to support the establishment of the Museum in order to create a place where individuals can share and take pride in learning about LGBT history; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls for the establishment of a commission to study the potential creation of a national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Museum.

LS #2688 & 2873

11/7/14

TC/CL