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Door County public comment centers on contested Pride proclamation; speakers urge both protection and inclusion
Summary
Multiple members of the public urged the Door County Board either to avoid county proclamations for Pride or to listen and include marginalized residents. Several speakers made graphic accusations about materials and outreach to children; others urged civility and listening. Board responses were limited; no new county policy was adopted.
A lengthy public-comment period at the Door County Board meeting on June 24 focused largely on an earlier board decision about a proposed Pride Month proclamation. Commenters voiced sharply opposing views: some thanked the board for rejecting the proclamation and raised concerns they described as parental-protection and child-safety issues, while others asked the board to listen to marginalized residents and allow community discussion.
Sarah Coats of Sturgeon Bay thanked supervisors for voting against the Open Door Pride proclamation and described a family experience that shaped her view: "We told her, you need to wait until you're 18 before starting taking dangerous drugs or cutting off body parts," she said, framing her remarks as concern over irreversible medical decisions for minors. By contrast, Matt Peter urged officials to invite the nonprofit to speak and to allow community dialogue: "A strong community operates by allowing space for listening and discussing viewpoints that you may not necessarily agree with," he said.
Some speakers advanced explicit allegations about materials distributed by Open Door Pride. Jesse Stemcox (who identified himself as Midwest director of Gays Against Groomers) said he counsels incarcerated LGBT people and alleged that Pride-affiliated groups had distributed explicit books and materials to students; he thanked the board for remaining neutral and urged county government to avoid endorsement. Sam Igarzanagle, also identifying with Gays Against Groomers, argued that institutionalizing a month was unnecessary and described Pride festivals as coercive. Several speakers urged the board to fact-check claims and consult neutral resources such as the Trevor Project.
Board members did not reverse prior action during the meeting. County staff confirmed that the board had previously acted on a proclamation request; several supervisors reiterated that the board had chosen neutrality on that specific item. The meeting record contains allegations from public commenters but does not include documentary evidence introduced into the record to substantiate the most specific claims about materials or school programs.
The county did not adopt new policy at this meeting related to the proclamation; supervisors and staff said they heard public concerns and emphasized the need to check facts and continue public conversation outside of the formal vote record.
