LGBTQ Month Proclaimed In Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin on Thursday proclaimed June as LGBTQ Pride Month in the city.

The mayor is set to announce the proclamation at Monday's City Council meeting. It would be the first such presentation to the council. Last June, he issued the proclamation to the Elmhurst Pride Collective.

In the proclamation, the mayor said Elmhurst is dedicated to all of its residents, regardless of age, beliefs, disability, ethnicity, identity, race, religion, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

"Elmhurst's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer residents are welcome and valuable members of our community and Elmhurst is dedicated to fostering acceptance of all its citizens and preventing discrimination and bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity," the proclamation said.

The proclamation notes the Centers for Disease Control recognizes that LGBTQ teens are at a higher risk to be victims of violence and have increased suicide rates.

"(I)t is imperative that young people in our community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feel valued, safe, empowered and supported by their peers, educators and community leaders," the proclamation said.