County Refuses Discussion on Pride Month Proclamation
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It wasn’t on the agenda, April 23, but County Board Supervisor Vinni Chomeau wanted to put it there for May. So she made a motion during the “New Business” portion of the County Board of Supervisors Tuesday meeting to have the LGBTQ+ proclamation added on the May County Board agenda.
Any supervisor can ask to bring up a topic under “New Business” if they have asked the county board chair to put the item on the agenda, and the chair does not.
“I thought it was somewhat of a devisive topic for a new county board,” County Board Chair Dave Englebert told the Pulse when asked why he didn’t put it on the agenda.
Chomeau told the Pulse that since the topic didn’t appear on the April agenda – Englebert said if he had put it on the agenda it would have been in May – she put the topic on the floor and it was seconded by District 12 Supervisor Nissa Norton.
“We had limited discussion since it was not on the agenda [officially],” said Ken Pabich, county board administrator, after the meeting.
That limited conversation coming from those opposed to putting the proclamation on the agenda consisted of concerns that the board should not be focusing on the topic at this time, and that the county had just adopted a new flag policy last year and didn’t want to consider LGBTQ issues again so soon, Pabich summarized.
That flag policy, adopted by the board with a 14-7 vote in September 2023, effectively eliminated the possibility of the Pride Flag being flown on county property during June, as it had been over the past three years. The only flags that could be flown on county property according to the new policy were the American flag, State of Wisconsin flag, County of Door flag, POW-MIA flags and military flags.
Chomeau, who represents District 18 in the Town of Gibraltar and Village of Ephraim, had tried to amend that flag policy twice during that 2023 meeting, failing both times to receive the needed support.
“June as Pride Month is recognized on a federal, state and local level in recognition that the LGBTQ community has historically, and presently, experiences discrimination,” she told the Pulse after the April 23 meeting. “Pride Month is a way to support diversity, inclusivity and acceptance. A proclamation takes nothing away from other groups or proclaimed months.”
Chomeau also said it’s their responsibility as elected officials, regardless of individual or religious beliefs, to protect the public good.
“Less harm to the public good is done and more care is given when we lead with acceptance,” Chomeau said. “Acceptance is a key component of community health goals for mental wellness and reducing social isolation.”
Cathy Grier, Open Door Pride chair and founder, sent a letter to the supervisors that was included in their agenda packet with the sample Proclamations that the City of Sturgeon Bay, the Town of Baileys Harbor and the Village of Sister Bay had passed. She asked the supervisors to proclaim June as Open Door Pride Month as the organization prepared for its 8th Pride Festival in Martin Park on June 29, from 10 am – 5 pm.
“I was recently invited to a Women’s History Month reception at the Governor’s residence [March 21],” she wrote. “I am not only proud
of the invitation on behalf of Open Door Pride, but to hear first hand the Governor’s commitment to celebrating diversity in Wisconsin.”
She also addressed the board Tuesday during their Public Comment section.
“We are not here asking for you to fly a pride flag, but asking for a proclamation – because words matter,” she said.
The supervisors decided not to put the proclamation on their May meeting, voting down the possibility of the conversation with a 10-8 vote (supervisors Morgan Rusnak, Elizabeth Gauger and Joel Gunnlaugsson were absent).
Those who voted against it were Dave Englebert, Todd Thayse, Roy Englebert, Nancy Robillard, Jeff Miller, Ken Fisher, Phillip Rockwell, Dale Vogel, Patrick Voight and Bud Kalms. Those who voted in favor were Chomeau and Norton, and Claire Morkin, Collin Jeanquart, Ryan Shaw, Hugh Zettel, David Enigl and Bob Bultman.
“I believe in the democratic process and am glad citizens have had a chance to see how their elected officials voted on their behalf,” Grier said after the meeting when asked for a comment. “Open Door Pride, like other organizations charged with the health and well-being of our citizens and who visit, will continue to strive to bring more love and acceptance for all in our county.”
