In a move that has sent ripples through the community, Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola has rejected the annual Pride Month proclamation, marking a stark departure from the city's previous five years of celebrations honoring LGBTQIA identity and inclusivity. FOX 7 Austin reported the disbelief of Jose Orta, the architect of these proclamations since their inception in 2020, who felt blindsided by the mayor's decision: "It was sort of like the rug got pulled out from under me because I couldn’t figure out why."
Mayor Ariola's refusal to issue the proclamation falls in the light of other city events such as Juneteenth and Dan Moody Day, with the mayor suggesting that the Pride festivities do not serve to unite the community, and yet to many amongst Taylor's citizens, the mayor's action is read as an act that undoes strides made towards equality and solidarity, a sentiment echoed by Taylor Pride's President, Ben Morgan who told FOX 7 Austin, "I think by denying this proclamation it sends not only a message to the LGBTQIA community but also to the community at large that this town has taken a step backward."
Despite the setback, the Pride Fest celebration is slated to continue unabated at the end of June, with organizers like Denise Rogers maintaining a stance of resilience and a commitment to the festival's significance in the face of exclusion, as stated in the interview with FOX 7 Austin, "We recognize every other heritage month and activity and event that happens in this town, so there’s no reason to exclude pride month or the pride festival or this community."
Meanwhile, supporters have not idly awaited the mayor's reconsideration, mobilizing their efforts through a petition that has garnered over 1,400 signatures and plans to address the issue at upcoming city council meetings, with Taylor Pride standing by their conviction of the necessity of such a proclamation to reflect the community's embracing of diversity and love for all, according to their social media post and as reported by KVUE the statement reads, "This event has not only been a unifying experience for our community but has made Taylor, TX, a beacon of pride and inclusion, while simultaneously generating revenue and goodwill for the local economy."
The absence of an official endorsement from the mayor's office doesn't seem to have dimmed the fervor of the event's organizers or participants as the fifth annual Taylor Pride Festival prepares to unfurl its rainbow banners in Heritage Square Park on June 28, the event itself stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the community it represents.
