As Pride Month concludes, the local debate rages on about how loud or subdued people who identify as LGBTQ and their supporters should be in expressing themselves.
A Pride Month proclamation was officially recognized in the Town of Lady Lake after a tense June 1 commission meeting that featured a reversed vote and a debate over the mayor’s authority.
The meeting initially saw pushback against the proclamation. Commissioner Amanda McLea (Ward 2) made a motion to table the Pride Month reading to a future date, seeking consensus to amend the town charter’s language regarding proclamations.
The motion, seconded by Commissioner Ed Regan (Ward 4), initially passed in a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Ed Freeman and Commissioner Treva Roberts dissenting.
How Pride returned to ‘the table’
Mayor Freeman (Ward 3) voiced his frustration, insisting the move was “not appropriate.”
The initial vote sparked a discussion on the town’s historical procedures. Town Attorney Derek Schroth advised that, historically, the mayor decides which proclamations are read.
Schroth outlined four potential paths forward for the town’s proclamation policy:
Schroth also noted that because the mayor had sought consensus at a May 18 meeting and received none, he was legally within his rights to read the Pride Month proclamation.
Freeman said that asking for the commission’s consensus in May was a mistake, as it broke from tradition.
Lady Lake’s mayor defended the Pride Month reading by comparing it to annual proclamations for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Irish American Heritage Month, acknowledging that while some residents dislike the Pride proclamation, it honors a group that has historically fought for equality.
Regan noted that his constituents had complained because the proclamation was not on the agenda, denying them the opportunity to speak on the matter.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Roberts (Ward 1) pointed out that any charter amendment to change the proclamation process would require a ballot referendum, and the deadline for the upcoming November election had already passed, pushing any potential changes to 2028.
The turning point of the evening came from Commissioner Mike Sage (Ward 5). Citing the Town Charter, Sage noted that the mayor is the head of town government for the issuance of proclamations.
“This is the mayor’s meeting, and he should be able to read the Pride Month proclamation as stipulated in the Town Charter,” Sage said, before announcing he wanted to change his previous vote.
Following a new motion by Sage, seconded by Roberts, the commission reversed its stance and approved the presentation of the proclamation in a 3-2 vote, with McLea and Regan dissenting.
Following the final vote, Mayor Freeman read the proclamation as well as a prepared statement emphasizing community inclusion.
“Pride Month is more than a celebration. It is a recognition of history, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of dignity, equality, and opportunity for all people,” Freeman read. “Recognizing Pride Month does not require everyone to share the same beliefs or experiences. It does require a shared commitment to fairness, humanity, and equal treatment for all.”
Commissioner McLea’s thoughts on the debate
“My position has been consistent. I do not believe municipal governments should issue proclamations recognizing causes or movements that are political, ideological, or advocacy-based,” McLea wrote in an email to the Daily Commercial.
“I believe proclamations should be reserved for matters that are clearly within the appropriate role of local government, such as recognizing community service, civic achievements, veterans, first responders, historical milestones, public safety and events that bring our community together.”
She clarified that her approach isn’t meant to single out any individual or group, and her personal opinions do not influence her stance.
“I’ve asked the Town Commission to hold a workshop to discuss establishing a formal proclamation policy that reflects these principles and provides a consistent framework for future requests,” McLea said. “Given our current budget schedule, I anticipate that the discussion will take place after the budget sessions are complete, likely in the early fall.”
Roberts’ thoughts on June 1 meeting
The Daily Commercial also reached out to Roberts for a statement. She emphasized once again that Lady Lake has a section of the charter that defines the mayor as the ceremonial head of the town.
“For the last 100 years, proclamations have been issued this way,” she said. “To my knowledge, our mayors have recognized persons, places and events without denying any group or person or event such recognition.
“It remains yet unclear whether this current commission will change that and will vote to have all five commissioners weigh in on what gets proclaimed. Commissioner McLea wants to have every commissioner vote on proclamations. But the way I see it, since issuing proclamations has been an affirmative process in the past, one can only assume that she wants the ability to silence or deny recognition to some portion of the Lady Lake community. She has stated that it isn’t about the LBGTQ+ proclamation, but rather about all the commissioners having a say.
“It seems ironic that she wants every commissioner to have a say in the process of which proclamations don’t get published, thereby denying public recognition for some ‘unnamed’ portion of the Lady Lake community.”
A broader regional debate
The friction in Lady Lake mirrors a larger conversation unfolding across Lake County. Over the past several years, the advocacy group Lake County Pride has actively petitioned local municipalities to issue Pride Month proclamations.
The county’s ideological divide was on full display during the June 23 Lake County Commission meeting. During the session, County Commissioner Leslie Campione shifted the focus away from LGBTQ+ recognition, explicitly advocating for “America Pride” over LGBT Pride. Her remarks underscore a growing local counter-movement that favors patriotic celebrations in June over those recognizing marginalized communities.
While cities like Mount Dora, Mascotte, and Groveland have issued these proclamations, the push for recognition has sparked controversy elsewhere.
Just recently, the city of Leesburg chose not to include a Pride proclamation on its June agenda, making Lady Lake’s debate a notable flashpoint in a county-wide tug-of-war over official LGBTQ+ recognition.
How the state is steering Pride conversation
A new Florida law passed under Gov. Ron DeSantis, SB 1134, has banned any municipal support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs or events.
According to a story in our sister paper, The Palm Beach Post, “the Florida Department of Transportation last year painted over rainbow intersections and crosswalks — including one in front of the Pulse shooting memorial in Orlando. DeSantis said the crosswalks and intersections posed a traffic safety issue. He and the Republican-led Legislature have targeted literature, pronouns, driver’s license gender markers, gender-affirming care and free speech of teachers.”
The Post story also describes how Palm Beach County denied a request from the city for a $302,000 federal Community Development Block Grant to pay for failing air conditioners, elevators and roof repairs. “After community outcry, the county said it reversed course,” the story said.
Lake Worth’s LGBTQ+ Compass Community Center Director Julie Seaver pointed out that their ballroom is used by other groups, too, referring to SB 1134 as the “anti-everybody bill.”
“The one form of protest we can do, especially during Pride Month, is we’ve got to at least attend one thing where you’re in the community because joy spreads joy,” she said.
‘We want to change the narrative’
“With funding cuts or eliminations affecting organizations like ours, the flagrant attacks on the Trans community — particularly youth, women of color, who face extreme transphobia, hate, bias, and violence — require advocacy now more than ever. It’s important to stand up and speak out against this bigotry, especially for those who are too afraid or unable to do so themselves,” Lake County Pride President Danielle Olivani told the Daily Commercial earlier this year.
“We want to change the narrative about the LGBTQIA+ community; no more debating our existence,” added Olivani. “We hope that young, old, and everyone in between is inspired, in a small way, to live out loud and proudly, knowing they have a real community and solid support system in Lake County Pride!”
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Lady Lake officials proclaimed Pride Month after vote reversal
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial | USA TODAY Network
