The York County Commissioners voted narrowly on Wednesday to refuse to issue a proclamation commemorating LGBTQ Pride Month, sparking a lengthy social media response from openly gay Commissioner Justin Chenette.
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“My heart is heavy with the defeat of our Pride proclamation. By a single vote. The defeat of this measure is an example that the work is not over, even in York County. You might not think proclamations really matter, but they do because words matter. When elected officials promote equality and acceptance of all people, people feel seen, heard, and valued regardless of their background or circumstances,” said Chenette on Facebook.
“I don’t believe anyone with special interests should have a special month designated to them and I think that they are all treated equally, and I don’t think that there’s any need of that,” said Commissioner Donna Ring during the meeting.
The commissioners voted 2-2 on the proclamation, meaning that it did not pass. The vote marked the first time since 2023 that the county has failed to issue a proclamation on Pride Month.
Commissioners Ring and Robert Andrews opposed the proclamation, with Commissioner Richard Dutremble absent from the meeting.
Only one person spoke during the June 17 hearing’s public comment section, a woman urging the commissioners against supporting a proclamation she believes is a celebration of sin.
Chenette claimed in his Facebook post that the proclamation wasn’t about special treatment for a specific group.
“We have passed a proclamation every year since 2023. The sky didn’t fall. The county’s moral compass didn’t collapse. It didn’t negatively impact anyone’s life to have a proclamation in place. On the flip side, I did see a positive impact. It was heartwarming to hear from county employees who appreciated being finally represented in this way. We sent a clear message that everyone is welcome to live, work, and play here in York County. As I said during the vote tonight, it is a message we should all be able to agree on. No one, including myself, is looking for special treatment or special rights, but simply mutual respect and understanding,” he said.
He also posted the proposed text of the statement, claiming that the “true signing is in our collective hearts.”
Chenette claimed in his Facebook post that the proclamation wasn’t about special treatment for a specific group.
Yes it is,
Good. Time for the nonsense to end.
We need local government proclamations of and for common sense , sanity , and fiscal responsibility .
Alternative life styles ….NOT .
Please. Gay folks don’t reproduce (thankfully) rendering gay folks meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Having and raising children is considered by many cultures as the most important contribution a human being can accomplish in life.
Let’s start praising families instead of individuals.
@bill
I think “pride month” is nonsense…but guess what, I don’t have any kids…by choice….but glad to know you got everything figured out.
This isn’t about promoting breeding, it’s about democrat special interests that are nonsense and ridiculous.
Try to focus bill.
The deviant “gay” community has only been tolerated, not accepted. However, if they keep up the nonsense the tolerance will also end.
Sexual orientation is a private matter. It does NOT deserve a a flag, a dedicated month, or a parade! Have a little class, live your lives with quiet dignity and stop acting like entitled national heroes. We have genuine national heroes and ‘coming out of the closet’ does not warrant a medal!
Nice. Donna Ring said it best, too. Hopefully this will become a trend.
Remember when the rainbow belonged to everyone–all of humanity? (And there was no brown, black, white, or pink in it.) It is a thing of wonder and beauty, a reminder of our spiritual connection to nature.
Can’t the pride folks just go back to pink? Or better: pink, white, brown, and black, if they must?
The rainbow is NOT “a connection to nature”. It’s a connection to God and His promise. Time for everyone to speak Truth and stop worrying about ” offending” people.. On point: I’m a man and I like having aex with women. When is my proclamation and Heterosexual Person month happening??
This is BS and this person knows it. If we have a pride month I demand a Hetero Month. It’s time to start shoving normal human genetic behaviors down sinful throats and bring America back in line with it’s founding principals. Enough of the promotion of accepting sinful behaviors.
Stop indoctrinating kids! Why can’t we just let them be kids, antagonizing their siblings, drinking from hoses and playing in the neighborhood? Schools and the militant gay community-an unholy match made in hell!
I know a number of gay people. Mostly because of the job i had. They were great customers. Theyre obviously well off to afford nice boats., vehicles and homes. I liked them.
Not one ever used the gay card to get special treatment. They didnt need to. They were treated equally and fairly. As a customer they were outspoken if they werent happy, like all customers are.
They didnt ask anything special, so why does the gay political movement need a month to celibrate equality when they already have it…and are wealthier then me?
The preferential treatment of gays is over. Normal people are sick and tired of having these freaks constantly in their face demanding their support.
Pride is a sin.