The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the church as an anti-LGBTQ hate group. Several who spoke against the proclamation said they were members of Stedfast Baptist Church in Hurst, which the Star-Telegram reported was ordered to close after sharing threatening messages against the LGBTQ community. 'Every action that we take to support our youth and our community to help them thrive and know that they are welcome and this is their city too, I want to be on that side of warmth as well,' Ocampo said. Ocampo says the community, especially youths, benefit from affirming messages and acknowledgement. They also raised concerns with the promotion of Pride Month in Arlington Public Library display cases.įormer Mayor Jeff Williams issued Pride Month proclamations in June 20, citing the progress towards equality for the LGBTQ+ community and work to be done in promoting acceptance and tolerance. Several speakers during Mayor Jim Ross' first council meeting last June claimed the proclamation forced the entire city to celebrate a community that not all residents embrace.
KERA News Audience members donned pride flags and equipped themselves with rainbow flags, fans and stickers during a meeting dominated by debate over Arlington's pride month declarations May 24, 2022.