The origins of LGBT Pride month can be traced back to a turbulent weekend in New York City in June 1969.

On the night of June 27 of that year, the usual crowd gathered at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, in what became a three-day protest during which patrons protested against unfair police discrimination and harassment. It marked the first time the gay community joined together to fight for its civil rights, earning national attention and gaining a foothold in the struggle for equality.

LGBT Americans have made important and lasting contributions to our nation in every field of endeavor. Too often, however, we face prejudice and discrimination; too many have had to hide or deny their sexual orientation in order to keep their jobs or to live safely in their communities.

In recent years, we have made some progress righting these wrongs. Since the Stonewall uprising in New York City more than 30 years ago, the LGBT rights movement has united us, our families and friends, and all those committed to justice and equality in a crusade to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices, and to protect the LGBT community from prejudice and persecution.

Pride Month is dedicated to appreciating the contributions and significance of the LGBT community and applauding gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and transgender pride. It is also a month for an opportunity to celebrate diversity, as well as support civil liberties and rights for all.

This legislative year, there are several significant bills that are making their way through the California Legislature.

AB 606 (Levine), Safe Place to Learn Act: Enacts statutory scheme to implement Senator Kuehl’s California Student Safety & Violence Prevention Act of 2000 that prohibits discrimination and harassment in public schools. It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 1056 (Chu): Establish the Tolerance Education Pilot Program, to be administered by the state Department of Education, to promote instruction in public schools on tolerance and intergroup relations as part of the instruction in the history/social science content standards. It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 1207 (Yee), Code of Fair Campaign Practices: Include in the voluntary pledge to not use or permit any appeal to negative prejudices based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 2051 (Cohn): Expands education and training requirements to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender domestic violence issues. Establishes the Equality in Prevention and Services for Domestic Abuse Fund, a fund (from additional fees to domestic partnership registration) to develop and support education and services specific to LGBT domestic violence. It will next be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

AB 2800 (Laird), Omnibus Housing Nondiscrimination Act: Standardizes various housing-related nondiscrimination provisions in California law to make them consistent with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 2920 (Leno): Amend to include senior LGBT Californians in the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, which sets the state’s commitment to its elder population who are served by programs administered by the California Department of Aging. It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB 1437 (Kuehl), Bias-Free Curriculum Act: Amend the Education Code to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in textbooks, classroom instruction and school-sponsored activities. This bill will next be voted on the Assembly floor.

SB 1441 (Kuehl): Prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity in state-operated or state-funded programs. This bill will next be voted on the Assembly floor.

SB 1827 (Migden): Extends state income tax joint filing status to registered domestic partners. It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 2280 (Leno): Requires the state Department of Health Services (no later than July 1, 2007) to develop a counseling model for all persons who receive HIV testing at publicly funded clinics. Components include risk assessment, data collection and prevention education. It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

As I ride in my 22nd consecutive San Diego Pride parade, I will remember all the progress we have made together and the great achievements that await us.