YAKIMA, Wash.-The Yakima City Council rejected a proclamation declaring June Pride Month in the City at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21.
The City Council unanimously passed resolutions honoring missing and unidentified persons, a draft resolution proclaiming May “Mental Health Awareness Month” and the draft of an ALS proclamation. The May 21 Yakima City Council meeting is available to view online.
However, the City Council rejected a proposed proclamation declaring June LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month in Yakima by a 5-2 vote.
Councilmember Janice Deccio was one of two to vote in favor of the proclamation and provided NonStop Local News with the following statement on May 22.
“It is unfortunate that the majority of the Council chose to reject the Pride proclamation. It has been approved by council every year since at least 2016. The proclamation meets all the criteria needed for approval. Our job as council, or as decent human beings, is not to judge the legitimacy of a law-abiding group who requests a proclamation through the proper channels. There are thousands of citizens in this town (gay and straight) who celebrate pride month each year and this is being seen as a betrayal to a wide swath of our citizenry.”
Councilmember Danny Herrera also voted in favor of the proclamation, saying:
“I voted in FAVOR of the Pride Proclamation. As a city council member, my duty is to recognize and celebrate everyone. Pride has a history for fighting for equal rights. I wanted to make sure to recognize the LGBTG+ community here in Yakima. I wouldn’t call myself an educator if I didn’t see my students for who they are.”
Councilmember Matt Brown voted against the proclamation, saying it was against Council policy and issued a statement which read, in part:
“As a member of the Yakima City Council, I believe our government functions best when we prioritize our primary responsibilities: public safety, infrastructure, roads, and the overall quality of life for our residents.”
“Pride Month suggests that individuals with different sexual preferences are unwelcome or discriminated against, which is simply not true. The people of Yakima are loving and accepting. We see neighbors looking out for each other, volunteering, and praying for those in need. Love and acceptance are core values of our community.”
NonStop Local News has reached out to the rest of the Yakima City Council, including members who voted against the proclamation for statements, but have yet to hear back.
Yakima Pride also released a statement following the rejection of the proclamation via social media that read in part:
“The proposed proclamation wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was a recognition of the ongoing struggles for equality and a celebration of our diverse identities. Its rejection undermines the very spirit of Pride, a movement born from the fight for basic human dignity.”
Jacob Butler with Yakima Pride adds the rejection came out of left field, but the organization will not let the decision change plans for the Yakima Pride Parade scheduled for June 8.
“We are still moving forward full steam,” says Butler. “We’ll go bigger and better than ever.”
Butler describes Pride Month as “an expression of love, acceptance and inclusivity.” They say the ones most impacted by the city not acknowledging Pride Month is the younger generations.
“It’s that first real time they get to feel accepted,” says Butler. “They get to feel loved, and a lot of these kids don’t have that at home, so they get to see this community that’s going to welcome them with open arms and celebrate them for who they are.”
They add that much of the Yakima LGBTQ+ community is upset at the council’s decision and is rallying behind Yakima Pride.
