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Resident urges McMinnville to resume Pride proclamation and raise flag after mayor limits proclamations
Summary
A McMinnville resident presented a petition of 1,229 signatures asking the city to issue a Pride Month proclamation and raise the pride flag; Mayor Morris noted she implemented a January policy limiting proclamations to manage staff time and fairness.
Tracy Palmer, a McMinnville resident, told the City Council during public comment on May 27 that she submitted a petition with 1,229 signatures "respectfully urging the city of McMinnville to continue its tradition of recognizing June as LGBTQIA plus Pride Month by issuing a formal proclamation and raising the pride flag at City Hall." Palmer said the request aligns with the city’s stated core values of equity, stewardship, courage and accountability and cited the 2022 Yamhill County Community Health Assessment figure that about 5.6% of residents identify as LGBTQIA+.
Palmer also addressed a recently announced mayoral practice that restricts proclamations. Mayor Morris told the council she put the practice in place in January to manage an increasing volume of proclamation requests and to treat requests consistently. "It's an across the board decision that I have made and will stand by," the mayor said, adding the policy is intended to limit staff time and meeting length.
Palmer framed Pride Month as a civic recognition of community members and their contributions to local life, saying Pride "recognizes the full participation of queer individuals in McMinnville civic and economic life." She asked the council to continue the longstanding practice of issuing proclamations that celebrate community groups and events.
There was no formal council action recorded on the petition during the meeting; the city noted that comments requiring follow-up will be assigned to city staff for response.
