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RESOLUTION URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO CONDEMN CUBA AND ITS DICTATORIAL REGIME FOR CANCELLING CONGA AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND FOR DENYING HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTIONS TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IN CUBA

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WHEREAS, on May 7, 2019, the Cuban government announced it had cancelled the Conga Against Homophobia, an annual pride parade for the Cuban LGBTQ Community; and
WHEREAS, cancelling the Conga Against Homophobia is an affront to the dignity of the Cuban LGBTQ community and signals a resurgent hostility toward gay and transgender rights in dictatorial Cuba; and
WHEREAS, the Cuban government has a history of denying human rights protections, including denying human rights protections to the Cuban LGBTQ community; and
WHEREAS, on May 11, 2019, more than 100 demonstrators nevertheless held an unauthorized gay pride parade on the streets of Havana; and
WHEREAS, several demonstrators were arrested and the parade was ordered dispersed; and
WHEREAS, this Board has consistently condemned Cuba and its dictatorial regime for any denial of human rights protections and freedom of expression; and
WHEREAS, this Board values the human rights of all, including members of the LGBTQ community; and
WHEREAS, this Board urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to condemn the actions of the Cuban government in canceling the Conga Against Homophobia and in denying human rights protections to the Cuban LGBTQ community,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to enact legislation condemning the Cuban government�s canceling of Conga Against Homophobia, a pride parade for the Cuban LGBTQ Community, and further condemning the Cuban government�s denial of human rights protections to the Cuban LGBTQ community.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States and the members of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the action set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2019 Federal Legislative Package to include this item.