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Nevada County Board adopts Pride Month proclamation after public testimony; one abstention
Summary
After an extended public-comment period in which dozens of residents described harassment and safety fears, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month. The vote was 4–0 with one abstention.
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on May 27 approved a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month in the county, following extended public comment from LGBTQ+ residents, allies and community organizations.
Supporters said the proclamation would send an important symbolic message to young people and others who feel vulnerable. Speakers described bullying, threats and daily fear experienced by transgender and gay youth and urged the board to make an explicit statement of inclusion.
The proclamation drew sustained public comment from community members including Lou Cixi (Nevada City council member), Megan Wells (board member, Nevada County Pride), Danielle Vanneman (director, local nonprofit; board member, Nevada County Pride), Andrew Rust (Nevada County Pride board), Michael Hildebrand Estrada (owner, Nevada City Crepes) and others. Commenters recounted personal stories of harassment and urged the board to adopt the proclamation to signal county support.
Supervisor Tucker said he had pulled the item from the consent calendar because he believed symbolically charged items should not be placed on consent and merited separate discussion. Tucker did not address the merits of the proclamation’s content but said the forum and placement on consent were the reason for his request to hear public comment.
Board members debated the item on the dais after public comment. A motion to adopt the proclamation carried, with the roll call recorded by district: District 5 — yes; District 2 — abstain; District 4 — yes; District 3 — yes; District 1 — yes. The motion therefore passed with four votes in favor and one abstention. The board did not provide additional ordinance-level actions or program funding tied to the proclamation; the vote implemented a symbolic county-level declaration only.
The public-comment period included multiple references to local Pride organizing (identified in testimony as Nevada County Pride) and to prior proclamations by Nevada City and Grass Valley. Several speakers emphasized the potential mental-health benefit of a formal county recognition.
The board moved on to general public comment and later agenda items after the vote.
