Town of Ranlo honors Pride Month, condemns discrimination

The town of Ranlo passed a proclamation acknowledging June as Pride Month and explicitly denouncing prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Ranlo's Board of Commissioners passed the proclamation 4-1 at its June 23 meeting.

The proclamation was introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Katie Cordell, and Commissioners Trevor Hay, Jamie Fowler, and Doug Moore joined Cordell to vote in favor of it.

Commissioner Wade Morton voted against it. Morton could not be reached for comment.

The text of the proclamation denounced "prejudice and discrimination" based on "age, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion, marital or familial status, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, or physical attributions," calling that kind of prejudice "an affront to our fundamental principles."

The proclamation went on to say that Pride Month began in June of 1969 on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City after LGBTQ+ and allied friends "rose and fought against the constant police harassment and discriminatory laws that have since been declared unconstitutional."

"Throughout much of the history of the United States, same-sex relationships were criminalized in many states, and many LGBTQ+ people in the United States were forced to hide their LGBTQ+ identities while living in secrecy and fear," the proclamation said.

Ranlo "appreciates the cultural, civic and economic contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community which strengthens our collective community and social welfare."

"It is imperative that young people in our community, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, feel valued, safe, empowered and supported by their community," the proclamation said.

Katie Cordell said in an interview that the Ranlo Board of Commissioners initially began talking about a proclamation to honor Pride Month last year. Gaston County Manager Kim Eagle's decision to force museum staff to remove a photo of two men kissing from the Gaston County of Museum and Art and History served as reinforcement, and they decided to do it.

"I won't say that the decision by the county made it more difficult for us. Certainly, it's not a decision I was particularly pleased with," Cordell said. "You kind of assume that things that are decided are done, … and it's time to move on to the next thing, but the decision from the county manager was obviously a bit of a shock, and was a reminder that it is important to still recognize communities that have been marginalized for such a long time. That it does still matter. So it was less an impetus and more reinforcement," she said.

Cordell said that she was glad to show members of the LGBTQ+ community in Gaston that they support them, "regardless of what others may want to do."

"It was very important that we recognize their contributions, not just now, but for the entire existence of the country. Whether they've been able to be who they are openly or not, they have still been positive contributors to our society," she said.

"I'm very happy and excited that we were able to pass it by the margin that we did," she added. "I think it sends a clear message that Ranlo is a welcoming place for all."

Commissioner Jamie Fowler, who is gay, said that he was excited that Ranlo acknowledged Pride Month. He said he wanted to do so especially for younger LGBTQ+ people who might feel marginalized.

"Every marginalized community … has just as much right to exist in society as everyone else. Just to be recognized, means the world," he said. "I handle myself. I'm fine, but I'm looking for the younger generation coming up, these kids that I see in Ranlo that are identified as LGBT or transgender, I want them to see that there is someone speaking out for them, that someone sees them and hears them."

Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing here.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Town of Ranlo welcomes members of LGBTQ+ community with proclamation