We, the undersigned, respectfully call on the City of McMinnville to refrain from issuing a 2025 Pride Month proclamation and flying the Pride flag at City Hall.

As residents of this diverse community, we affirm that every individual — regardless of personal identity — deserves equal protection under the law, fair access to public services, and the right to live free from discrimination. However, we also believe that government institutions should remain neutral in matters of personal belief, identity, and expression, avoiding official endorsements of any specific group, ideology, or social cause.

In 2023, the City of McMinnville revised its policy to limit proclamations to matters directly related to city operations or honoring individuals. We support this policy because it ensures that City Hall remains a space for governance, civic service, and unity — not symbolic or ideological advocacy.

Recognizing one community group or cause through official government actions can unintentionally divide residents and politicize our civic spaces. While private citizens and organizations are free to express, celebrate, and advocate for their values, City Hall should represent all people equally without selective public endorsements.

We urge the City to uphold its updated proclamation policy consistently and avoid using public property to raise flags or issue proclamations unrelated to direct City matters. By maintaining institutional neutrality, McMinnville will foster a respectful, inclusive civic environment that prioritizes public service over political or cultural symbolism.

We, the undersigned, call on the City of McMinnville to:

1. Decline to issue a 2025 Pride Month proclamation.
2. Decline to fly the Pride flag or any other non-governmental symbolic flags at City Hall.
3. Consistently apply the City’s revised proclamation policy in all cases.
4. Focus City resources and messaging on core civic services, safety, and unity for all residents.

We believe that true inclusion is achieved when government remains impartial, treats every resident with equal dignity, and refrains from promoting specific social or cultural symbols through official channels.