PORT TOWNSEND — Some cheered Monday as two of the three Jefferson County commissioners voted to approve a proclamation making June Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Month in the county.
Moments before, others applauded the reasoning of Commissioner Pat Rodgers’, R-Brinnon, who voted against the proclamation.
“While I do agree we don’t want discrimination, I don’t think there is discrimination in the county,” Rodgers said.
He described the proclamation as divisive.
Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George, and Phil Johnson, D-Port Townsend, said they were happy the proclamation was passed because it was important that everybody in Jefferson County feel welcome.
“It’s about tolerance and acceptance,” Sullivan said.
“When you have a group who has experienced a high level of fear and prejudice, they deserve this kind of support.”
The proclamation states:
“The North Olympic Peninsula’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning communities continue to make significant contributions to the fabric of our region . . .
“Jefferson County applauds the pride and commitment of our region’s multitalented and diverse communities and honors the contributions to the stability and well being of our region made by each of them.”
It also says the county “believes in equal rights for all people and speaking out against intolerance and discrimination and fighting tirelessly to break down the walls of fear and prejudice.”
Disagrees with it
Treva Worthington of Quilcene said at the meeting in commissioners’ chambers that she disagrees with the proclamation because she believes in traditional marriage because “God says so.”
She added:
“Those people have every right that we have. I feel like we were railroaded.”
The proclamation was approved at the beginning of the meeting without public comment.
Later, Connie Rosenquist of Port Townsend stood to speak her mind about the proclamation.
“Because of the moral controversy surrounding the sexual behaviors of this particular group of people, honoring them as a group identified by those behaviors seems in-your-face, or should I say, a slap in the face,” said Rosenquist.
“It does look an awful lot like you are so tolerant that you can’t say no to a bad idea,” she continued, “or that you are improperly using your public platform to shove personal agendas.”
Kellie Ragan, county Public Health employee and author of the proclamation, said her motivation is to build community.
She said the gay community has experienced discrimination, which makes the proclamation important.
“Who would have thought a proclamation could cause so much commotion?” Ragan asked.
Said Sullivan: “I think it is our job to stand up for people who are the victims of fear and prejudice.”
“The reaction to the proclamation really re-enforced my decision to vote for it,” he said.
