Pride declaration at Atascadero City Council receives a standing ovation
The Atascadero City Council received a standing ovation when it approved a declaration recognizing LGBTQ+ citizens at Tuesday night’s meeting.
The declaration comes in the midst of Pride Month and was the strongest statement to date made in direct support of LGBTQ+ Atascadero community members, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Funk said.
“It was a very positive experience and something I’ve never experienced as a councilmember before,” Funk said of the crowd’s reaction.
The proclamation “urged all residents to honor our widely varied community and work together with us to build a culture of tolerance and mutual respect,” Funk noted in a news release.
The Rev. Heather Branton, pastor of the Community Church of Atascadero, and other local faith leaders were present at the meeting to receive the declaration.
It came at the request of Funk “as an affirmation of respectful and inclusive community values at a time when false fears and unfounded accusations have made many LGBTQ+ persons feel less safe in our community,” she said in the release.
The statement was grounded in common values of the community, including the Atascadero city mission statement and the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce DEI Pledge, Funk said.
“It gave us a point to breathe together and recognize there is a wellspring of support within the community to stand alongside our LGBTQ+ members when they are feeling vulnerable,” Funk said.
This story was originally published June 14, 2023 at 1:49 PM.
