Residents urge Copperas Cove council to consider Pride Month proclamation

Several residents used the council’s citizens forum on June 16 to urge the Copperas Cove City Council to adopt a Pride Month proclamation and to increase official recognition of LGBTQ residents.

Sheena Tanner, president of the Democrats of Copperas Cove and vice president of the Central Texas Pride Community Center, said the oath of public office requires serving “the entire community, not parts of it.” Tanner cited recent supportive actions by the public library and said a proclamation would signal that LGBTQ residents “belong here. You matter.”

The request drew multiple speakers. Mary Lynn Jones said she supported Tanner’s message. Ray Payne, a lifelong resident, told the council Copperas Cove’s diversity is an asset and urged that the city “recognize people that make contributions to this city.” Stephanie Perdue, who identified herself as a transgender woman, said she had previously asked the mayor for a proclamation and urged councilmembers to show that Copperas Cove is “a town for all people.”

The council did not take immediate action during the meeting but several members asked to place the request on a future agenda for formal discussion. At the end of the meeting a councilmember requested a future agenda item explicitly described in the meeting record as an "LGBT" proclamation; multiple colleagues voiced support for adding the item sooner rather than later.

Why it matters: A proclamation does not in itself create a city policy or spending obligation, but it is a formal recognition that can influence the tone of city outreach, library and parks programming, and local civic partnerships. Supporters at the podium said it would strengthen trust and make marginalized residents feel more included.

What’s next: Councilmembers asked staff to add the proclamation to a future council agenda so the matter can be discussed formally and any draft language or legal considerations can be reviewed.