PORT TOWNSEND — A gay-rights proclamation scheduled to go before the Jefferson County commissioners on Monday has one commissioner calling the proposal “divisive” and saying he will vote against it.
While Democratic commissioners David Sullivan and Phil Johnson say they support the proclamation for Gender Diversity Pride Month in June, Republican Commissioner Pat Rodgers said Thursday: “Logically, ethically to have unity in the community, I will not, cannot support this.”
Rodgers said he believes the proclamation will merely put a wedge of divisiveness between community groups.
The Brinnon Republican, a Christian who had just returned from a prayer meeting Thursday night, said he “had people praying against” the proposed proclamation.
“I don’t know of any intolerance for any one group. And I believe in human rights for everybody,” Rodgers said.
“As a Christian, I believe it’s not for us to judge people, and we are not in a position to underwrite them.”
As proposed, the proclamation states: “The North Olympic Peninsula’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning community continues 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.”
‘Equal rights’
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.”
The proclamation further encourages “all residents to join in celebrating the spirit and dedication of all vibrant communities and to participate in the many festivities of Pride Month that will take place throughout Jefferson County.”
Sullivan said Thursday that a group of county employees and other residents “asked us to make a proclamation” in support of gender diversity during Gender Diversity Pride Month.
The Cape George Democrat said he merely saw the proclamation as reinforcement of the county’s “zero tolerance” policy against work-force discrimination.
“It doesn’t make anybody do anything. It doesn’t mean well spend any money to support it. It just means we support a part of the people in the community,” said Sullivan.
Johnson, D-Port Townsend, said that the proclamation means “that all people have human rights.”
Johnson said he just felt it was the right thing to do.
“I have many, many, many friends that are gay and lesbian, and I have never been homophobic,” he said.