Batavia council approves Pride Month proclamation amid heated public comment over unity flag

The Batavia City Council voted to approve a mayoral proclamation designating June 2025 as Pride Month and authorizing the city to fly the unity (pride) flag for the month.

The proclamation, read by Alderman Beck, states the city will "fly the unity flag throughout the month of June as a visible symbol of support for the LGBTQIA+ community and a commitment to equality and inclusion for all." Alderman Beck moved to approve the proclamation; the motion was seconded by Alderman Malay and carried in a roll-call vote (11 yes, 2 no, 1 absent).

The vote followed roughly a half-hour of public comment that featured sharply divided views. Sylvia Keppel, who identified herself as speaking from a religious perspective, said, "Proclaiming pride ... is an act of defiance and rebellion against God," and urged aldermen to reject the flag. Other speakers strongly supported the proclamation: Martin Byrne, who said he grew up in Batavia as a queer child, told the council, "Seeing that flag is suicide prevention." Resident Bree Hayes told the council, "Flying this flag saves lives," and Ryan O'Connell said flying the flag "reminded us of steps taken to make the country more equal."

Several speakers raised procedural concerns about how the city's flag policy was written and applied. Member of the public Bob McClellan said the policy, adopted last year, limits which flags are eligible and questioned whether other awareness months have been given equal consideration. Martin Byrne referenced a U.S. Supreme Court ruling framing flags on municipal poles as government speech when explaining why the council must approve flagpole displays.

Mayor Jeffrey D. Schilke and council members acknowledged the contentious public comment period before moving to a vote. After the roll call (Alderman Beck: aye; Malay: aye; Malone: aye; Wolfe: aye; Sulfa: aye; Barron: aye; Lehman: aye; Poehler: aye; Farenbach: aye; Anderson: no; Vogelsinger: aye; Barraza: aye; Lancey: no; Pieper absent), the proclamation was approved. Council recessed briefly and then conducted the scheduled unity-flag raising with a brief invocation by Pastor Paige.

Why it matters: The council's action formalizes the city's recognition of Pride Month and sets a precedent for flagpole use under the city's flag policy, a matter several speakers argued has broader implications for what the city will display on its single municipal flagpole.

Discussion vs. decision: Public comments were advisory and not binding. The formal action was the council's adoption of the proclamation by roll-call vote; no ordinance change was adopted at this meeting.