Erie County Executive Dahlkemper issues Transgender Awareness Week Proclamation

On November 12, 2018, Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper issued a proclamation for Transgender Awarness Week. It read in part: "NOW THEREFORE, I, Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie County Executive, do hereby proclaim November 12 - 19 as Transgender Awareness Week and call upon our citizens to educate themselves regarding the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that transgender people face and encourage our community to be allies of the transgender community."

The full text reads:

Transgender Awareness Week: November 12-19, 2018

WHEREAS,            the County of Erie is supportive of the rights of our transgender community members and calls upon its citizens to reinforce our community's commitment to diversity, inclusion and acceptance of all people by recognizing Transgender Awareness Week, November 12-19, 2018; and

WHEREAS,          this week presents an opportunity to inspire, inform, and educate society about the many challenges faced by members of the transgender, gender non-conforming community and to celebrate the diversity of gender with all individuals of our community; and

WHEREAS,          we further honor and remember those individuals who have lost their lives for simply being their authentic selves on Transgender Day of Remembrance, on November 20. Worldwide, one transgender person's murder is reported every three days, with a large number of violence against the transgender community going unreported; and

WHEREAS,         the County of Erie joins transgender and gender non-conforming communities in celebrating Transgender Awareness Week as we all strive to create a healthier, safer environment – both now and into the future – for all people.

NOW THEREFORE I, Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie County Executive, do hereby proclaim November 12- 19 as Transgender Awareness Week and call upon our citizens to educate themselves regarding the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that transgender people face and encourage our community to be allies of the transgender community.

Kathy Dahlkemper

Erie County Executive

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have set my

hand and seal this 12th day of November, 2018