Councilor Sean Williams wearing a squid hat reads a proclamation at Tuesday’s County Council meeting recognizing June 7-13 as Pride Week in Los Alamos County. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

During its first in-person meeting in Council Chambers at the Municipal Meeting since the pandemic hit, members of the Los Alamos County Council proclaimed June 7-13 Pride Week in Los Alamos County.

Councilor Sean Williams read the proclamation and made a statement about Pride Week.

“Growing up in the 80s and 90s, a time when homosexuality was still illegal in some states and when don’t ask don’t tell was seen as a reasonable compromise for gay service members, I wasn’t sure if I would ever be comfortable coming out,” Williams said. “This led to a childhood of subtle deception and I’m going to carry that with me for the rest of my life.”

He added that as time moved on and peoples’ perception progressed, he was able to reconcile who he is.

“I think this is the best part of Pride – it’s a reminder that we can be who we are and who we want to be,” Williams said.

The proclamation states:

WHEREAS: Everyone has a right to live without fear or prejudice, discrimination, violence or hatred based on gender identity/expression or sexual orientation. It is imperative that everyone acknowledge and support diversity in their community – especially those communities that are most vulnerable; and

WHEREAS: June is national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. It is desirable to bring together LGBTQ+ people and their allies to form a tangible community of support and acceptance in Los Alamos and the surrounding local areas, and to create and enhance visibility and support of diversity in our community. It is desirable to celebrate, educate and engage the community on the issues, contributions, culture and unique voice of LGBTQ+ people, and the impact LGBTQ+ people have on local and global communities; and

WHEREAS: It is essential that the LGBTQ+ youth are supported by Los Alamos County and Northern New Mexico. According to the 2015 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, approximately one in seven students identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or not sure. More than one in four of this student population had attempted suicide in the past year and were three times more likely to have been forced to have sex or experienced physical dating violence, and were twice as likely to be bullied at school; and

WHEREAS: According to “Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth,” published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, visible LGBTQ+ sexuality-related social support from parents, friends, and community during adolescence each uniquely contributed to positive well-being in young adulthood, making them less likely to report depressive symptoms, substance use, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors; 

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim the Second Week of June Each Year as “ANNUAL LGBTQ+ PRIDE WEEK”