Commissioner Higgins’ legislation recognizing October as “LGBTQ History Month” approved by the Board
MIAMI-DADE – At its April 19, 2022, meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved District 5 County Commissioner Eileen Higgins’ legislation recognizing October as LGBTQ History Month in Miami-Dade County. LGBTQ History Month will recognize the history of gay and civil rights, as well as the past and present achievements of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community who serve as role models, build community, encourage informative discussions, and raise visibility and awareness.
"In light of the terrible legislation passed in Tallahassee that turns the clock backwards on LGBTQ rights in Florida, I think it is important that the Miami-Dade County Commission continue to show LGBTQ community members and their families that we welcome them, support them, and value their contributions to our County,” said Commissioner Higgins. “Today, we did just that.”
Through the years, the BCC has established policies and taken positions designed to promote inclusiveness and diversity in Miami-Dade. Such policies include the creation of the Miami-Dade LGBTQ Advisory Board, sponsored by Commissioner Higgins. The LGBTQ Advisory Board played a key role in advancing the legislation by officially urging the BCC to recognize the significance of the LGBTQ community and its leaders in the month of October.
“On behalf of the LGBTQ Advisory Board, thank you to Commissioner Higgins for introducing this item recognizing October as LGBTQ History Month in Miami-Dade,” said Patricia Hernandez, Chairwoman of the LGBTQ Advisory Board. “Our LGBTQ community has contributed invaluably to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of Miami-Dade. We look forward to collaborating with the Mayor and Commissioners to officially recognize these contributions every October.”
A part of Miami-Dade’s LGTBQ history is when in 1998 sexual orientation was included as a protected category in the County’s Human Rights Ordinance, which protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. In 2014, it was further expanded to include gender identity and gender expression. Most recently, the BCC joined organizations across the state, such as SAVE, to oppose Tallahassee’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill which blocks teachers from talking about LGBTQ issues.
LGBTQ Advisory Board member and SAVE Executive Director, Orlando Gonzales said, “Recognizing the role of the LGBTQ community in history is critically important to understanding how ideals of freedom, democracy, and human rights are realized in American history. Miami-Dade County – in particular – has played a leadership role in the LGBTQ movement, making itself well known as a world-class community that has led some of the most significant changes in public policy and in modeling diversity, equity, and inclusivity for the rest of the world to follow. Today we recognize October as LGBTQ History Month to tell our story of how we strengthen American values.”
For more information, please contact Francis Izquierdo, Communications Manager for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, at [email protected] or 305-375-5924.