Resolution 140834

..Title Celebrating the vibrant, impactful, and accomplished life of Gloria Casarez, Director of the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs, whose tragic passing at the age of 42 is a profound loss to family, friends, and the countless Philadelphians whose lives were improved because of her service. ..Body WHEREAS, Gloria Casarez was beloved across so many Philadelphia communities because of her: dedication to helping others; genuine love for all people; and fiercely unapologetic advocacy for those she fought for and represented; and WHEREAS, Gloria Casarez was born and raised in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. She graduated from West Chester University with degrees in both criminal justice and political science. She was a founding member and community organizer of Empty the Shelters, a national housing rights and economic justice organization. Gloria's tremendous capacity for leadership was recognized as a coordinator for the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania and was soon named the executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative [GALAEI] in Philadelphia, where she was successful in dramatically increasing resources and public attention to the many issues GALAEI seeks to improve. It was these accomplishments over the span of almost a decade, as well as the development of nationally recognized programs serving men of color and the transgender community, that made Gloria the obvious choice for the first ever Director of the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs, where she served with distinction since 2008; and WHEREAS, Gloria's tireless work directly focused on improving quality of life for Philadelphia's women, people of color, and LGBTQ communities. Whether it was giving advice to a close friend, speaking in front of thousands, or carefully crafting regulations and legislation that positively impacted countless lives; Gloria will be remembered as a tremendous force for good; and WHEREAS, To those who admired her most, Gloria has been called a living legend, visionary, trailblazer, and beacon of light that can never be replaced or replicated. She was one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby honor and celebrate the meaningful and devoted life of Gloria Casarez who inspired pride, confidence, and kindness in everyone she met. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Gloria's wife, Tricia Dressel, and her mother, Elisa Gonzalez, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End