By Karen Gleason
830 Times
Co-stars of HBO Max’s series “We’re Here” joined Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano at the city council’s most recent meeting as he proclaimed June 2021 as “Pride Month.”
“As you know, June is internationally known as ‘Pride Month,’ and as I’ve done for the last three years, I am proclaiming Pride Month here in Del Rio, Texas,” Lozano said.
He then read the proclamation:
“Whereas, LGBTQI+ visibility, educational programs and inclusion break barriers and educate the public that all heartbeats are valued, regardless of sexual orientation, race, religious creed, gender or ethnic background, and whereas, June 28 and 29, 1969, the Stonewall demonstration began the modern LGBTQI+ rights movement, and whereas, the period from 1961 to 2021 marks 60 years celebrating achievements in the civil rights movement, including showcasing pride, race, gender, diversity, education, inclusion and visibility, and
“Whereas Del Rio SAFE and its sister chapters, Eagle Pass SAFE and Laughlin SAFE, are regional non-profit organizations dedicated to advocating on behalf of an under-represented community, educating the general public on the importance of inclusion of all people and spearheading celebration of LGBTQI+ achievements, and whereas, the LGBTQI+ community has seen the loss of life due to the HIV crisis and hate crimes, such as the Orlando Massacre, because of the stigmas still associated with being LGBTQI+, and
“Whereas the LGBTQI+ community against bullying of any kind, harm of any kind and supports organizations, institutions and businesses that welcome diversity and inclusion, and whereas the city joins other municipalities across the state, nation and world to join the recognition of LGBTQI+ communities and whereas, the local offices of the consulate of Mexico and the consulate of Guatemala recognized May 17, 2021, as ‘Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia,’ and whereas programs like HBO’s “We’re Here,” promote visibility of small city life and small cities’ cultural, economic and historical contributions to the American Dream, and whereas, Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela Laquifa Wadley are LGBTQI+ advocates for diversity and inclusion, and whereas, the city of Del Rio welcomes visitors of all backgrounds and creeds, now therefore, I, Bruno J. Lozano, mayor of the city of Del Rio, proclaim June 2021 as ‘Pride Month’,” Lozano read.
Xochitl Abrego, representing Del Rio SAFE, thanked the council and the city for their continued support of the area’s LGBTQI+ community.
“For a long time here in Del Rio, we were not acknowledged, and now we are being acknowledged, and I would like to thank the mayor for doing this proclamation for the third year. It’s such a big step for Del Rio,” Abrego said.
Lozano then invited Shangela Laquifa Wadley to speak to the audience about her experience in Del Rio during the filming of “We’re Here.”
Wadley began by welcoming everyone in Spanish.
“I went to (Ciudad) Acuña one time, and now I can speak fluently,” she joked.
“On behalf of my friends here, co-hosts Eureka O’Hara and Bob the Drag Queen and myself, I would like to thank you so much, Mayor Lozano, for inviting us here to Del Rio, for accepting us and welcoming us, not only you, but the entire city, has been so warm to all of us, and for this proclamation. We celebrate you guys and know it’s so important to have great visibility, to know that you live in a city that has great support for the LGBTQI+ community and this month, during which we highlight so many people standing in their truth, being heard, and we encourage all of you to continue to spread love and kindness and compassion,” she said.
“That’s why we’re here, to help amplify voices that are about accepting who you are. To all the allies, we celebrate you as well and thank you for supporting the LGBTQI+ community and for all the leadership here, thank you for welcoming us,” she added.
Lozano also presented the three drag queens with certificates of recognition.
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