'We're going to show up:' LGBTQIA+ advocates plan protest of Holly Springs Pride Proclamation
Some citizens and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community are planning a peaceful protest after a new Holly Springs Pride Proclamation failed to recognize different sexual orientations.
"Our mayor made, perhaps, the first ever Pride Proclamation that doesn’t include gay people," said Jack Turnwald in a social media post after the Tuesday night city council meeting.
The proclamation specifically says "all people, regardless of age, gender identity, race, color, religion, or disability, have the right to be treated on the basis of their value as human beings."
However, the Pride Proclamation makes no mention of sexual orientation – leaving many members of the LGBTQIA+ community 'left out' of the Pride Proclamation, a painful oversight for many, especially during Pride Month.
"I'm calling it the 'Unproud Proclamation," said Michael Yates, chair and founder of PRIDE of Cary.
The proclamation does include gender identity, which the Human Rights Campaign defines as "one's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither." However, that is distinctly different than sexual orientation, which is defined as an "inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction," which "is independent of their gender identity."
Last year, Mayor Sean Mayefskie refused to issue a proclamation for Pride Month. Advocates have been asking for recognition of Pride Month, and have also been asking Holly Springs to join Wake County's non-discrimination ordinance for around a year, with no success.
"Last year we were looking for a Pride Proclamation, and for the town to join the non-discrimination ordinance," said Turnwald, who has been attending city council meetings regularly and speaking out on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Uptick in LGBTQIA+ legislation nationwide
All of this comes after a recent uptick in legislation nationwide that caused the Human Rights Campaign to declare a state of emergency for the LGBTQIA+ community. According to HRC, over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures in 2023.
"Pride was born as a movement of resistance from a period of time when queer and gender non-comforting people were being policed and brutalized," said Turnwald. "Pride again this year feels like a movement of resistance and not a celebration. You celebrate when you have those rights."
Turnwald says they asked Mayefskie after the city council meeting whether the omission of sexual orientation was intentional.
"He did not miss a beat, and he said yes," said Turnwald. However, in another news interview Mayesfkie said it was not intentional.
WRAL News called Mayefskie's office and emailed him for his response, but he has yet to answer.
Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community are growing anxious about their safety and freedoms as legislation continues – meaning support on the local level is taking on more value.
"Speaking to many members of the community, so many have a parachute plan. They're looking for the nearest sanctuary state," said Yates. "I met a woman who sold her business and her home because she has a transgender child, and she knows what's coming for NC."
However, Yates says eventually there will be nowhere to run if the community doesn't stand up.
Peaceful protest planned for next week's city council meeting
Citizens and advocates are planning a peaceful protest for Tuesday, June 13, at 5:30 p.m. at 750 Holly Springs Road.
"We will peacefully protest outside the Justice Center during the next town meeting and ask the Pride Proclamation be altered," said Turnwald.
Supporters from nearby towns have said they plan to attend as well. Some protesters will carry signs or use sidewalk chalk. Some also plan to go inside the town meeting and discuss the proclamation.
"You can't take the Pride out of Holly Springs," said Turnwald. "We're going to show up."
“We want an amendment or to get it completely revised into what it should have been," said Yates.
Turnwald says despite the letdowns, they believe Holly Springs is a good community of good people – and that real change can happen.
"I just keep saying, I really believe Holly Springs has the ability to become a more inclusive community. We have a lot of wonderful people. If we are given the opportunity to understand each other's experiences, we can progress," said Turnwald. "But when people are dealing with government, or processes or lack of inclusion, it makes those other things harder to accomplish."
The proclamation can be read in full here.
