City Council to consider Gay Pride proclamation

Posted 5/26/21

City Council plans to discuss a proclamation recognizing Gay Pride Month

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City Council to consider Gay Pride proclamation

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OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee City Council plans to discuss and consider a proclamation recognizing Gay Pride Month during its June 1 meeting. The item was placed on the agenda by Councilman Bobby Keefe, who said his goal is to show inclusivity, acceptance, and welcome to all members of the community, to all people regardless of race, gender, or sexuality.

According to Keefe, Mayor Dowling Watford changed the original agenda item from “reading a proclamation” to “discuss and consider a proclamation."

Mayor  Watford said because of his religious beliefs, he does not feel comfortable signing this proclamation. "I have nothing against any particular people or groups. I believe they have the right to do what they want, but I do not feel comfortable signing it," he said.

Keefe said he understood it was a controversial issue and was willing to read the proclamation himself if the mayor chooses not to do it.

“We have Black History Month, We have Asian, Hawaiian, there are so many different months dedicated to organizations and groups of people. We’re in 2021, and this proclamation will make a group of people smile and feel accepted, feel recognized, feel important," he explained.

He said he did not believe the proclamation would change anything by itself, but he is trying to take a step in that direction.

In October 2020, the Okeechobee County School Board added an item to its agenda considering a proclamation recognizing the importance of LGBT History Month.

The original proclamation said, “The Okeechobee County School Board appreciates and recognizes the importance of LGBT History Month as an effective means of educating and calling to action the citizens of Okeechobee County to work together to promote equal protection of all Okeechobee County students and staff, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”

After becoming aware of the proclamation a week before the meeting, some social media users speculated that this meant children in kindergarten were going to be taught about being gay while others claimed this was an example of what they called a “demonic agenda” being shoved down their throats.

In an effort to avoid the controversy altogether, the item was pulled from the agenda the day before the meeting and was not considered by the board.

During the school board meeting, OHS drama teacher Deborah Raulerson said, “Usually I come to these board meetings for something my students are being recognized for or something they contributed or achieved. Tonight I’m here to be a voice for my students who don’t have one. I’m disappointed and ashamed that you just confirmed every LGBT person’s worst fear. That they are not worthy of mentioning. That they are not safe for public acknowledgment. You have invalidated all of them and given their bullies justification. I’ve spent the last 14 years trying to build relationships with my students, especially the marginalized students. Our school should be a safe place for all students, not just those who look and act like us. We all are worthy of love and recognition. Actions like this are why kids leave Okeechobee and never come back. I’ll go back to my job tomorrow and let them all know they are loved and that they are worthy, that they all have a place at Okeechobee High School.”

Rather than try to reintroduce the LGBT History proclamation, the school board proclaimed November as Global Diversity Awareness Month. The text of the proclamation read, “The school board of Okeechobee County, Florida, accepts and welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and believes that a diverse population leads to a more vibrant community, which contributes greatly to our schools, neighborhood, and culture.”

Only time will tell if the city council proclamation will have the same opposition as the school board.

Richard Marion contributed to this article.

city council, school board, gay pride, LGBT, LGTBQ+

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