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Common Council honors Pride Month; highlights local LGBTQ+ leaders and invites public to events
Summary
Aldermen recognized Pride Month honorees including Adriana Nannis Rodriguez, Jaren Jordan, Aaron Mabin and Dr. Bryce Smith, praised local visibility and called for protecting programs that support LGBTQ+ youth; council promoted Pride events including a Sunday parade in Walker's Point.
The Milwaukee Common Council used a Committee of the Whole presentation to recognize four local honorees for Pride Month and to urge visibility and protection of programs that support LGBTQ+ residents.
Alderman Peter Bergellis and Alderman Jocasta Samaripa escorted honorees Adriana Nannis Rodriguez, Jaren Jordan, Aaron Mabin and Dr. Bryce Smith to the dais and delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of visibility. The council read a resolution (file number noted in the clerk's communications) recognizing the 2025 Pride Month honorees.
Adriana Nannis Rodriguez, introduced by Alderman Samaripa as the executive director of Public Allies in Milwaukee, thanked the council and described the organizational role in training community organizers and nonprofit leaders. On the record she said protecting programs such as Public Allies is “not just important, it is absolutely essential,” stressing the role such programs play for queer BIPOC youth.
Jaren Jordan (WISN 12) and Aaron Mabin (news affiliation noted on the record) each accepted recognition. Mabin told the council he hoped his visibility “helps at least one person,” and Jaren Jordan said he was humbled by the recognition and emphasized representation in journalism. Dr. Bryce Smith, described on the record as a queer historian and trans leader in Milwaukee, also addressed the council and said Milwaukee had helped him become “the very best version of myself.”
Alderman Bergellis invited the public to Pride events: a parade beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Walker's Point on Sunday and PrideFest at the Summerfest grounds starting Thursday evening. Council members and the city employee resource group “The Hive” were noted as participating.
Clarifying details: The clerk's communications listed a resolution recognizing 2025 Pride Month honorees (file number given in clerk report); speakers included media professionals and community leaders identified on the record. Several aldermen framed the recognition as part of ongoing efforts to protect funding and programs that support LGBTQ+ youth.
What comes next: Council encouraged public participation in the upcoming parade and PrideFest; no formal council policy action or appropriation was taken during the presentation.
