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Palm Desert Council Rejects Bid to End Pride Recognition in 4–1 Vote

City leaders described the vote as a step to reassure LGBTQ+ residents.

Overview

  • The council will continue displaying Pride banners at City Hall after defeating the proposal 4–1.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto’s proposal sought to stop city recognition of Pride Month and remove group-specific banners.
  • The meeting drew hours of public testimony, with LGBTQ advocates and residents calling the proposed change discriminatory.
  • Councilmember Jan Harnik moved to keep the existing policy and emphasized the need to make residents feel safe and welcome.
  • Pradetto later framed his stance in an emailed statement as opposition to identity politics and said some residents viewed the banners as favoritism.