Faith leader and residents urge Wenatchee to restore Pride banners after city accepted church display

Suellen Harris, speaking on behalf of Grace Lutheran Church, told the Wenatchee City Council she was disappointed the city rejected an application from Wenatchee Pride for June banners and instead accepted an application from a local church. "We're writing and speaking to express our disagreement and disappointment in the decision made by the city to reject the application of Wenatchee Pride for June banners and to instead accept the application from [a local church]," Harris said, asking the council to reverse the decision and "fully restore Pride in Wenatchee."

Garth Donald, a resident, said the city’s diversity makes the community strong and called the banner replacement an intentional political move. "This political gambit is an insult wrapped in a flag and a smile," he said, urging the council to fix the action and warning of rising hostility toward LGBTQ residents.

Amanda Apple, speaking by video, called the replacement of rainbow banners "a disgrace" and said "it’s not too late to fix it."

Council members closed the public comment period and moved on to business; the record shows the council accepted copies of a letter of concern and emails but did not take a separate vote or issue a public response on the banner selection during the meeting. The speakers asked the council to reverse the banner decision and said the selection process—described by one speaker as a first-come, first-served process that overlooked an application in process—felt like preferential treatment.

The council then proceeded to routine agenda items. City staff acknowledged receipt of submitted materials; no formal action to change the banner decision was recorded at the meeting. The council meeting record indicates community members may continue to contact the city by email.