Four cities in the Snoqualmie Valley have officially recognized June as Pride Month, with mayors in Carnation, Duvall, North Bend and Snoqualmie each issuing proclamations at a time when federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals are facing significant rollbacks nationwide.
At the federal level, the current administration has shut down the suicide prevention lifeline dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth and proposed eliminating housing protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation, including a rule that could force transgender women into men’s shelters. Workplace protections for tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ federal employees and contractors have also been rescinded.
Against that backdrop, each of the valley’s four cities has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion. Carnation’s proclamation, signed by openly queer Deputy Mayor Jessica Merizan on June 2, was among the most direct in acknowledging the national climate, stating that queer community members “continue to face discrimination and cruel, persistent efforts to undermine their basic human rights” and that the situation is “specifically difficult for queer youth.”
Duvall’s proclamation acknowledged that the city has “faced moments of division and controversy” around 2SLGBTQIA+ identities while committing to being a welcoming place for all. North Bend’s proclamation, read by Mayor Mary Miller at the June 2 council meeting alongside Snovalley Pride representative Lori Oviatt, stated that communities thrive when they choose kindness and connection over fear and division. Snoqualmie’s proclamation was issued May 26, with Snovalley Pride founder and executive director Greg Jamiel on hand to speak about the nonprofit’s work across the valley.
Jamiel addressed the significance of Pride Month directly in a letter published this week, writing that 2SLGBTQ+ people are “once again being told by people in positions of power that they do not belong” and that local community building is a direct response to that message.
The proclamations come alongside a season of local celebration. Snovalley Pride’s fourth annual Pride Picnic takes place Sunday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tolt Commons in Carnation, featuring free live music, food and art-making stations.
Duvall hosts two events on June 9: a Rainbow Roundtable community coffee gathering (registration is now closed) with Mayor McHenry and city leadership at 4 p.m., and Art & Ember, a free evening of art and community at Depot Park beginning at 7:30 p.m.
North Bend Mayor Mary Miller summed up the spirit shared across all four proclamations. “North Bend is a diverse, welcoming, and beautiful place where everyone can live authentically, participate fully in community life and know they belong. We welcome the opportunity to celebrate Pride Month together, with compassion and respect for everyone.”
[Featured image provided by Last Lite Photography ]
Comments
I’m glad to see we have mayors and city administrations that understand that our gay siblings are as much a part of our community as anyone else.
And I’m glad to see and celebrate the lives of our gay siblings who often have been treated as less-than because of their outlook on life when they are expressing themselves exactly as we want to express ourselves.
Sometimes just letting people be human is all we have to do.