Wenatchee proclaims June Pride Month as residents urge clearer banner policy and visibility

Wenatchee’s City Council on a May evening read a proclamation designating June 2026 as Pride Month and heard sustained public comment urging the city to back the proclamation with visible actions such as banners, flags and other forms of recognition.

Residents and Junior City Council members gave personal testimony about why visibility matters. Jesse Evans, a junior at Wenatchee High School, said the Reimagining Wenatchee master plan’s emphasis on walkability and shared outdoor spaces would make the city more attractive to young people. Several other speakers who identified as LGBTQ community members or allies described harassment, the removal of Pride materials and the emotional impact of symbolic support.

Sunshine Poliquin told the council the proclamation felt “perfunctory” without visible follow-through, saying, “Without action to back the words of the proclamation, it's hollow.” Rose Tepper read portions of a federal House resolution associated with “family month,” and argued the banner language risks excluding LGBTQ families. Denali White (online) said excluding Pride banners under a changed banner policy would be discriminatory and named a local banner applicant as seeking to replace Pride visibility.

The council read a proclamation (presented by council staff) noting the Stonewall riots of June 1969 and recognizing state-level designation of Pride Month; the proclamation also announced Wenatchee Pride Fest on June 20, 2026, at Lincoln Park. Zoe Jasper, a board member of Wenatchee Pride, described PrideFest as a family-focused celebration of local vendors, artists and performances and said the organizers hope the proclamation is a step toward regaining community trust while urging the city to back words with policy.

Speakers repeatedly asked the council to clarify the city’s banner policy, explain the application timeline and ensure the program does not systematically exclude Pride or other community groups. Several callers and in-person speakers urged investigation into the application process timeline, saying communications about application availability were unclear.

The council accepted the proclamation into the record and organizers invited volunteers to support PrideFest. The council did not take a separate vote on banner policy during the meeting; several council members said they would seek legal and staff guidance on next steps and process transparency.