More than 60 people gathered Tuesday night in Brownsville City Hall to witness a proclamation ceremony that designated June as Pride Month.
Jose Colon-Uvalles, a member of the LGBTQ community, said the city proclamation was a historical event and it was a huge milestone for the Rio Grande Valley.
“I reached out to [City Commissioner Jessica] Tetreau and I told her about what having something like a proclamation would mean to the community locally, and how no other city in the Valley has done this before and this is a huge milestone for our community,” Colon-Uvalles said. “I am very glad that we found allies in our own city commission to support us openly.”
The City’s proclamation recognizes June as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Pride Month, said Jessica Tetreau, District 2 city commissioner.
Pride Month honors the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally and internationally, according to the Library of Congress website.
Tetreau said the city commission supports and respects the community of Brownsville, regardless of who they are and their ethnicity.
“It’s really important that we send the message that everybody is included in the conversation, and that everybody’s voices are important and that everybody’s struggle needs to be solve and everybody should be offered dignity, respect and support for their city,” Tetreau said in an interview with The Rider. “It was the first time ever been done in the Valley.
We didn’t mean to break the record or anything; it’s just because we care about our constituents and especially our youth that face the struggle and … the challenges … [such as bullying], feeling not accepted or anything like that. So, anything we can do to support our constituents, we are absolutely for it. … Love is love and our city is amazing.”
More than 10 members and supporters of the LGBTQ community attended the proclamation Tuesday night in the Brownsville City Hall.
In other business, the city commission:
-approved a memorandum of understanding with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for The Active Plan.
The Active Plan is a blueprint to link the beaches, wildlife preserves, waterways and cultural sites to attract waves of active tourists and transform the health of the local citizenry, according to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
-appointed Viola Currier as member of the Brownsville Metro Transit Advisory Committee.
-approved the awarding of a $766,200 contract to Pederson Construction Co., Inc. of Los Fresnos for street paving and drainage for the Manzano Street and Esperanza Road Project, which is expected to be completed in 90 days.
-approved the annex of 1.25 acres of land to Hacienda Lakeview, Inc.
–Reporters Nubia Reyna and Rebeca Ortiz contributed to this report.
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