Gay Pride Proclamation Passes Pierce Council But Faces Pushback

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The Pierce County Council has passed its first-ever proclamation recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month. It's a historic first step for the council, but that's all it is — because of resistance from conservative leaders, the proclamation won't be headed to the books any time soon.

The proclamation passed Tuesday's council meeting on partisan lines: the Pierce County Council's Democratic majority unanimously gave the bill their four votes, but GOP councilmembers like Amy Cruver, who voted against the proclamation, and council members Dave Morell and Hans Zeiger, who abstained, pushed back against the legislation.

In a statement posted online prior to Tuesday's vote, Council Chair Derek Young, a Democrat, said he was proud to support the resolution, but that public resistance from other local leaders showed just how much more the county needs to do if it wants to recognize and support its LGBTQ+ community.

"It’s an honor to chair the Council for a moment like this and something I believe is long overdue," Young said. "It celebrates our LGBTQ+ community and their struggle for fundamental rights and protections under the law, along with their contributions to Pierce County. The response to this simple bill shows that we still have a long way to go."

Following the vote, County Executive Bruce Dammeier told the News Tribune he would not be signing the proclamation, saying the council was passing too many proclamations and that he would only be signing those that garnered unanimous support. As the News Tribune notes, Dammeier typically signs dozens of proclamations each year. Young's statement also pushes back against Dammeier's claim.

"Some have suggested that this proclamation is unusual and that other groups are more deserving," Young wrote. "These sorts of actions are common and rarely see any resistance. The Council frequently acknowledges historically marginalized groups. We also draw attention to past events and the contributions of Pierce County residents. Sometimes it’s as simple as celebrating an accomplishment."

Last month, the Pierce County Council passed a similar resolution recognizing Juneteenth.

The pushback in Pierce County stands in contrast with other parts of Western Washington where Gay Pride has long been a non-issue: it's been more than a decade since neighboring King County first proclaimed June Gay Pride Month. The City of Tacoma has also officially recognized LGBTQ+ Pride for several years, and annually raises a Gay Pride flag over the Tacoma Dome in recognition.