Central Union trustees approve June Pride Month proclamation after extended public comment

The Central Union High School District Board of Trustees voted Tuesday, June 24, 2025, to approve Resolution 062425-33 proclaiming the month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month for the district.

The vote followed a two-hour public-comment session during which about 26 people, limited to 90 seconds each, addressed the board. Supporters described the proclamation as a low-cost way to signal inclusion and safety for LGBTQIA+ students; opponents said recognition should not single out any group and raised concerns about schools' role in conversations about identity.

The board's action came after sustained public testimony from students, parents, teachers and local advocacy organizations. Rene Mendez, an English teacher and Central alumnus, told the trustees the resolution’s language “states that when it comes to our LGBTQ plus population, we're committed to safety, inclusion, to fostering a welcoming school climate where they can be treated with dignity, respect, and feel safe. I honestly don't understand how anyone could object to this language.” Clara Olivas, cofounder and executive director of Queer CASA, said her…