MAY 23, 2022 CARPINTERIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING — June 2022 has been proclaimed as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month. The City of Carpinteria, in solidarity with California and other local governments, will honor the history of the LGBTQ liberation movement, provide advocacy for the community and commemorate the “immeasurable impact to the cultural, civic and economic successes” that LGBTQ individuals have had on our country. Councilmember Gregg Carty shared that June is the designated month for Pride Month as an homage to the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969, which he described as a “turning point in the fight for LGBTQIA+ civil rights, which still continues to this day.” Kristin Flickinger, Executive Director of Pacific Pride Foundation, was present to receive the proclamation. At the podium, Flickinger expressed gratitude for working with the city staff in creating actionable items in LGBTQ+ advocacy, such as staff training and youth programs.

May has been proclaimed as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The City Council shared the history of the first Japanese immigrants arriving to the United States on May 7, 1843 and the significant contributions of Chinese workers in the building of the transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869. The Council recognized the hardship Asian immigrants have endured in the process of immigrating to the United States in the pursuit of a better life for their families, as well as continue to endure with the drastic increase in AAPI hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Libby Lok, a member of the Santa Barbara AAPI Solidarity Network, was present to receive the proclamation and expressed how she was “so proud of our city” when reading the proclamation. Councilmember Roy Lee described AAPI hardship and resilience with a quote: “Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one” (Bruce Lee).

Pictured: Carpinteria City Council with Kristin Flickinger (Executive Director, Pacific Pride Foundation) (top) and Libby Lok (Member, Santa Barbara AAPI Solidarity Network) (bottom)