GREAT FALLS — Residents of Great Falls gathered at the Civic Center on Tuesday evening for the public comment session regarding a Facebook post made by Mayor Cory Reeves.
Reeves initiated discussions by declaring that he would not issue a proclamation for “LGBTQ+ Month,” also known as Pride Month.
In his post, Reeves expressed:
“As mayor, I have chosen not to issue a proclamation for LGBTQ+ Month. While I support equality for all, I believe that the government should stay out of personal relationships, whether they involve heterosexual individuals or members of the LGBTQ+ community. My aim is to ensure that all individuals are treated with equal respect and dignity, without governmental interference in personal matters. The government should neither condemn nor celebrate who loves whom; those are personal choices that the government should not meddle in.”
The post elicited a mix of support and criticism towards the Mayor’s decision.
Commissioner Rick Tryon voiced his support on Facebook, stating, “I stand by your decision, Mayor Reeves.”
Some individuals praised Reeves’ post, including Kelly Quick, who said, “Everyone recognizes June as Pride Month. If someone tried to deny the existence of trout in the Missouri River or objected to celebrating ‘Trout in the Missouri River Week,’ that person would be seen as delusional.”
Kelly Quick
On the other hand, some criticized the Mayor’s stance, with Stacy DeKoning explaining the significance of wearing rainbow and transgender colors.
DeKoning stated, “It’s not about who is in my bed. It’s about creating a comfortable environment for the couple down the street… In our community, there is a young person who feels they’d be better off dead than admitting to being trans or gay. I show my pride to encourage others to be open.”
No ‘Pride Month’ proclamation: Great Falls mayor garners praise and criticism
Matthew Pipinich, a local business owner and LGBTQ Center administrator, extended an invitation to the Commission for compassionate training to enhance their understanding of the LGBTQ+ community.
The public comment session lasted approximately 20 minutes, allowing residents three minutes each to express their views.
No individuals at the meeting voiced support for the Mayor’s decision. One attendee mentioned, “Let’s move past the LGBTQ+ issue…”.
Mayor Reeves and all City Commission members gave every resident present an opportunity to speak. Reeves did not address the public’s concerns after the comment session.
In 1999, President Bill Clinton formally designated June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month,” acknowledging the ongoing LGBTQ+ rights struggles.
Former Mayor Bob Kelly had previously declared June as Pride Month before opting not to seek re-election last year.
As of now, Mayor Cory Reeves has not released a statement about Tuesday night’s City Commission Meeting.
Following the meeting, MTN News reached out to Reeves for a response to the public’s concerns but he declined to comment.
