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In a contentious study session on Tuesday, May 20, city council examined a proposed calendar of events for social media acknowledgments that has divided both council members and residents, with Pride Month emerging as the most controversial inclusion.
The calendar, requested by Councilman David Reid, would recognize various cultural heritage months, professional appreciation days and commemorative events based on national and state observances. Unlike a previous version discussed in March, the current proposal would involve only social media posts and no formal proclamations.
"The goal of the calendar is to just publicly acknowledge various groups, professions, holidays, events, that have been recognized in national and/or state calendars," Reid said. "We're not looking for parades; we're not looking for celebrations."
The calendar includes heritage months for various ethnic groups, such as Black History Month in February, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May,and Hispanic Heritage Month in September. It also includes professional recognition days for firefighters, law enforcement and administrative staff.
However, the inclusion of Pride Month in June generated significant opposition during public comments. Most speakers specifically objected to this recognition.
"I am opposed to the calendar of events because of gay pride, I don't think we need to celebrate one’s sexuality," said resident Sherry Caillier.
Several residents argued that the calendar would create division rather than unity. Terry Anderson, a longtime resident, said, "Dividing human beings into subgroups is a favorite tool of racists and tyrants. It would be a sign of maturity for the gay community or any community to stand upon its own merits instead of leaning on the government."
Councilwoman Tina Bennett-Burton raised concerns about religious representation, noting that Christian holidays were absent from the calendar. "Upon looking at this new calendar presented, I immediately noticed that the man that hung from a cross for my sins is nowhere to be found," she said, proposing additions including Religious Freedom Day and Constitutional Day.
Councilman Roger Neal expressed concerns about setting a precedent that would lead to endless calendar additions. "It seems that we're going down sort of a slippery slope here with an almost unlimited number of possibilities," he said. "We're bound to leave out some group or organization."
Councilman Omar Roman, who identified himself as "the gay council member," reminded the audience of his 63 percent electoral victory and voiced strong support for the calendar. "If it is not something that you support or you are particularly aligned with, wait for the next month or wait for the next day because it'll be probably a celebration for something else," he said.
Resident Joseph Riegel highlighted the potential for more inclusivity, listing dozens of other awareness months for diseases and causes. "I've had prostate cancer. I've had kidney cancer. I've had lymphoma cancer twice," he said. "If the mission of our city is to issue proclamations, please include us."
By the end of the discussion, the council directed city staff to compile a more comprehensive calendar that would include additions like Memorial Day, Independence Day and other federal holidays for further consideration.
The calendar would only involve social media graphics posted to the city's official accounts with no additional events, parades or flag displays, a point Councilwoman Elizabeth Villafranca emphasized had been miscommunicated to residents.
City staff will resubmit the calendar to the council for review before any final action is taken.
