By Layla Kalinen
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WINDSOR, VT – The Selectboard approved the town’s Pride flag raising ceremony as an indefinite tradition in its inclusion policies with a 4-1 vote on May 9. Member Tera Howard cast the lone dissenting vote.
Following the vote, members discussed the issue of when ‘inclusive’ becomes ‘exclusive’ and the struggles of an October 2022 meeting that prompted an Op-Ed by a local editorial writer. That column was blamed for exasperating a harmful division in the community and fanning reactions from community members. Many of those reactions were directed at officials who said they were trying to keep town property free from all ideologies – religious or political.
Selectboard Chair Ryan Palmer made a motion to accept the LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation as a recurring tribute for the month of June without an annual vote from the Selectboard. Selectboard member Emma Caffrey seconded it.
Prior to approval, there was community and board member input and issues on what ‘unity’ means to different citizens in Windsor.
Amanda Smith, a former Selectboard member who often mediates issues between LGBTQ+ residents and the greater community, spoke on how Pride Month has changed her family’s life.
“I would urge you to consider it for approval,” Smith said. “I can personally say that it’s made a positive difference to me and my family. The U.S. State Department is proud of what it does for equal rights and dignity for LGBTQ people around the world, and that we even have bipartisan support from Governor Scott, who says that [the month is] about so much more than the celebrations – it is about hope, strength, perseverance and inclusion. I would just again say that this follows along with our declaration of inclusion.”
Hudson Ranney, a Windsor High School student, said he wanted the proclamation to be permanently approved.
“It really makes everybody in the town feel included and it really does help people feel supported,” Ranney said. “It is our opportunity right now to show people that they’re allowed to exist here.”
Selectboard Member Tera Howard, who was a no vote, said she has misgivings about the present vitriol.
“I do agree with a lot of the stuff that you said, and I do support the Pride proclamation,” Howard said. “And I do support Pride Month. But, after the meeting that took place a year ago with the same topic, I personally have had so many conversations with various community members, as well as some of our LGBTQ community members, who for various reasons, do not support the private flag going on municipal soil and don’t agree with it. What I’m seeing and hearing is our community is not on the same page. You think it’s bringing people together, but it’s caused a lot of division.”
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