Ronnie Rivera was recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in June 2023.

By the initiative of Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and Supervisor Peter Burgelis, some forty individuals and organizations were recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and presented citations in a special meeting on June 22, 2023. "Today, we recommit Milwaukee County to supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating those who make a substantial positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee County," Supervisor Burgelis stated. "Today we are making up for lost time. We have dozens of people to recognize, not because so much has been done in the past year, but because decades and even years ago, there was little to no recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. I am thankful to work with a Chairperson who enables our County Board to honor these well-deserving individuals."

Recognitions were made in the categories of "Community Leaders and Activists," "Government Leaders," "Business and Cultural Leaders," and "Health and Wellness Leaders". Rivera's citation (in which they are largely self-described) read as follows:

• WHEREAS, Ronnie Rivera took an unwavering interest in education and social justice within the public education systems of Milwaukee County; and
• WHEREAS, Ronnie Rivera was honored as an Educator of the Year by GSafe, a Madison-based nonprofit organizations that aims to empower LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin schools, for his service as a Milwaukee Public Schools educator; and
• WHEREAS, Ronnie Rivera has been an employee of Milwaukee County while serving as the LGBTQ+ Coordinator in the Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Gender, Identity, and Inclusion, where he serves Milwaukee Youth by providing a safe space to learn and grow; and
• WHEREAS, Ronnie Rivera has selflessly volunteered countless hours as an advocate for Gay, Straight, Alliance (GSA) clubs in Milwaukee schools: and
• WHEREAS, Ronnie Rivera is recognized for his dedication to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Milwaukee students so that they may thrive both in the classroom and in their communities; and
• WHEREAS, Ronnie Rivera has had a significant positive impact on numerous individuals, children, and families throughout Milwaukee County and the public school system by expressing both his queerness and latinidad, unapologetically; now, therefore,
• BE IT RESOLVED, the members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, on the motion of Supervisor Peter Burgelis, along with Supervisors, Ryan Clancy, Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, Caroline Gomez-Tom, Willie Johnson, Jr., Juan Miguel Martinez, Shawn Rolland, Steven Shea, Liz Sumner, Sequanna Taylor, Sheldon A. Wasserman, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson do herewith commend Ronnie Rivera for his dedicated efforts and contributions to the Milwaukee LGBTQ+ community, and wish him prosperity, happiness, and continued success in all his personal and professional endeavors.