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Twenty residents urged the Farmers Branch City Council on Nov. 3 to remove eight recognition months from the city's social media calendar, arguing that the acknowledgments divide the community.
The objections ranged from concerns about recognizing selected cultural and ethnic groups to religious opposition to Muslim recognition and Pride Month. Several residents questioned whether the observances belong among the responsibilities of city government.
The comments came during the meeting's public comment period. The calendar was not on the agenda for council consideration, and no vote was taken.
The dispute centers on a decision made June 17, 2025, when the council approved a calendar for social media posts recognizing city services, cultural and ethnic heritage, holidays and national and state observances.
The proposal drew both support and opposition at that meeting.
The eight observances targeted by speakers Nov. 3 included Black History Month, Pride Month, Muslim recognition and months acknowledging Irish, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, German and Native American heritage.
Sara Lenhart, a Farmers Branch resident for more than 45 years, said she understood the original effort to recognize different backgrounds.
"I think it started out as a good idea to honor people's different heritages," she said.
But Lenhart questioned whether the city should single out particular groups when it already offers community activities open to all residents. She urged council members to remove the observances rather than expand the list.
Other speakers objected to specific recognitions on religious grounds.
Gary Billingsley criticized the acknowledgment of Muslims, citing his objections to Islam. Mike Chandler also opposed Muslim recognition and Pride Month, invoking his Christian beliefs and concerns about traditional religious values.
Chandler, who identified himself as African American, asked the council to replace Black History Month with American History Month.
"We're all Americans here," he said, arguing that the city's calendar should reflect a shared national identity.
Some residents questioned whether recognizing cultural and identity groups should be a city priority.
Mike Chimarys suggested honoring first responders, military personnel and workers who maintain essential services instead. He praised police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel for the risks they take serving the community.
Barbara Dere, who said she has lived in Farmers Branch since 1981, opposed adding more observances or replacing the existing entries. She also raised questions about the use of taxpayer funds and city staff time.
"I don't know what's been spent," she told the council.
The discussion did not establish what, if any, additional costs were associated with the calendar.
Terry Orear, who said he emailed council members about the issue in October, questioned whether the acknowledgments accomplish their intended purpose.
"I think what might have intentionally been meant to as an effort in inclusion actually doesn't accomplish that," he said.
Orear asked that the issue be placed on the next available council agenda.
Although all 20 speakers at the Nov. 3 meeting opposed the calendar or its selected observances, the original June 2025 discussion included residents on both sides.
Residents repeatedly asked council members to reconsider the acknowledgments. Mayor Terry Lynne thanked them for attending before the council recessed and continued with its regular business.
Brenda Brodrick urged officials to place the issue on an upcoming agenda, saying residents from all five council districts were represented among those attending.
"Otherwise, we would just keep coming back," she said.
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