Schuylkill County Commissioners were asked last week to issue a proclamation recognizing Pride Month this June and PrideFest as an official event locally.
However, at least one County Commissioner says he’s not in favor of the idea.
At last week’s Work Session meeting, Mikaela Gavaletz, founder and executive producer of Schuylkill PrideFest, proposed to Commissioners that they issue an official proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month in Schuylkill County and for Schuylkill PrideFest to be recognized as an official event.
“What I’m proposing today is not going to cost the County any money, but it could save the mental health of a community. That community, of course, is the LGBTQ community,” Gavaletz said.
During Public Comment, Gavaletz promoted PrideFest and stressed the impact the annual event – now held at Schuylkill County Fairgrounds in Summit Station – has had on that community and the support it’s gotten from local businesses.
Gavaletz asked that the proclamation Schuylkill County Commissioners approve would “recognize PrideFest as a legitimate, functioning, and very important event.
“I just hope that one of you three or all three will join in a proclamation to ease the burden,” Gavaletz said. “Please make Schuylkill County PrideFest an official event for our community.”
A pre-written proclamation was provided to Commissioners last week.
Here is the text of that proposed proclamation:
Recognizing the Month of June as Pride Month for the County of Schuylkill
Whereas, The County of Schuylkill has a diverse LGBTQ+ Community and is committed to supporting awareness, visibility, dignity, and equity for all people in the community; and
Whereas many of the residents, students, employees, and business owners within the County of Schuylkill, who contribute to the enrichment of our town are a part of the LGBTQ+ community; and
Whereas various advancements have been made with respect to equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ persons throughout the nation; and
Whereas, cities all across the United States recognize and celebrate June as National Pride Month; and
Whereas, June has become a symbolic month in which LGBTQAI+ and supporters come together in various celebrations of pride; and
Whereas, events like the annual Schuylkill Pridefest organized by the Youth, Empowerment, and Support (Y.E.S.) organization of Schuylkill County further symbolizes the towns celebration of diversity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community.
Now, Therefore, I Commissioner _____________, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Commissioner of Schuylkill County, do hereby proclaim the month of June as:
Pride Month and the celebration of our PrideFest in our County of Schuylkill, invites everyone to reflect on ways we all can live and work together with a commitment to mutual respect and understanding recognizing the month of June as Pride Month for the County of Schuylkill
Whereas, The County of Schuylkill has a diverse LGBTQ+ Community and is committed to supporting awareness, visibility, dignity, and equity for all people in the community; and
Whereas many of the residents, students, employees, and business owners within the County of Schuylkill, who contribute to the enrichment of our town are a part of the LGBTQ+ community; and
Whereas various advancements have been made with respect to equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ persons throughout the nation; and
Whereas, cities all across the United States recognize and celebrate June as National Pride Month; and
Whereas, June has become a symbolic month in which LGBTQAI+ and supporters come together in various celebrations of pride; and
Whereas, events like the annual Schuylkill Pridefest organized by the Youth, Empowerment, and Support (Y.E.S.) organization of Schuylkill County further symbolizes the towns celebration of diversity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community.
Now, Therefore, I Commissioner _, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Commissioner of Schuylkill County, do hereby proclaim the month of June as:
Pride Month and the celebration of our PrideFest in our County of Schuylkill, invites everyone to reflect on ways we all can live and work together with a commitment to mutual respect and understanding.
At least one Commissioner does not support the idea of proclaiming June as Pride Month in Schuylkill County. Chairman Larry Padora said he doesn’t believe it’s the role of government to get involved or affirm a person’s lifestyle choices.
“I will not do a proclamation for Pride Month,” Padora said. “I will not just like I would not do one for a heterosexual pride proclamation. I don’t think the government should be involved in anybody’s lifestyle choices. I don’t think we should be involved in that.”
Commissioners Gary Hess and Boots Hetherington could not be reached for comment for this article.
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