Lee Levingston Perine Recognition Resolution of 2025
Summary
This ceremonial resolution recognizes and celebrates Lee Levingston Perine during the 2025 DC Black Pride celebration. It highlights his work as a curator, creative producer, founder of Black in Space, and Senior Manager of Special Projects at Events DC, along with his leadership on arts and community engagement initiatives in the District. The resolution also notes his honors from the White House and the National Trans Visibility March and describes him as a cultural force in Washington, D.C.
The resolution places Perine’s recognition in the broader context of DC Black Pride, describing the event as the world’s first Black Pride festival and one of the largest Black Pride celebrations globally. It emphasizes the event’s role in supporting the Black LGBTQIA+ community, raising awareness of health disparities, and promoting organizations focused on health, education, youth, and families. The resolution also references the 2025 theme, “BLACK PRIDE IS FREEDOM,” and the event’s long-standing significance in building the Black Pride movement worldwide.
Impact
As a ceremonial resolution, this measure does not change District law, create new programs, or appropriate funds. Its legal effect is limited to formally honoring Lee Levingston Perine and expressing the Council’s support for DC Black Pride and the Black LGBTQIA+ community. The resolution has no direct impact on statutory obligations, but it reinforces the District’s public recognition of arts, culture, LGBTQIA+ visibility, and HIV/AIDS awareness efforts.
Sentiment
The sentiment around the resolution is strongly positive and celebratory. The Council approved it unanimously on final reading, with 12 yeas and 0 nays, indicating broad support and no recorded opposition. The language of the resolution is appreciative and affirming, focusing on community leadership, cultural pride, and the historic importance of DC Black Pride.
Contention
There is no evident substantive contention in the bill text or voting record. Because this is a ceremonial recognition measure, it does not present policy disputes over funding, regulation, or enforcement. The only potentially broader themes are the resolution’s emphasis on Black LGBTQIA+ identity, HIV/AIDS prevention, and opposition to homophobia and bigotry, but the available record shows no disagreement on those points.