On June 2, 2026, the Grand Rapids City Committee of the Whole convened to approve proclamations for Pride Month and Gun Violence Awareness Month, adopt routine consent items, and discuss updates to the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) zoning code and the comprehensive zoning ordinance update (Zone GR).
Okay, despite the nice positive attitude and all of the lovely conversations that are going on, I realize that we haven't started yet. So, gonna call uh meeting of the committee of whole to order, and our first item of business is uh Pride Month proclamation. Mr. Davis, yes. I'm invited. Our partners over here to this time. All right. So, I'm gonna read the following proclamation. Whereas the city of Grand Rapids is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals, particularly those within the pride community, and whereas our commitment to equity and fairness extends to all residents, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and whereas the contributions of the two spirit lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and all other related individuals are vital to the rich cultural, economic, and social fabric of Grand Rapids, and those individuals deserve to feel safe, free from discrimination, and to be able to live without fear of harassment. And whereas, while this community has made significant progress, there remains ongoing work to ensure true equity, inclusion, belonging, and acceptance for every member of our community, and whereas Grand Rapids recognizes and celebrates the many two SLGBTQIA plus residents, advocates, artists, educators, public servants, organizations, and community leaders whose contributions continue to strengthen and enrich our city, and whereas this year's pride theme is for all of us and serves as a reminder that thriving communities are built through unity, visibility, collective care, and shared responsibility, making sure that all people are welcomed, valued, and supported. And whereas the City of Grand Rapids remains committed to advancing equity and creating spaces where all can live authentically and with dignity. Now I, therefore, David LeGrand, mayor of the city of Grand Rapids, do hereby proclaim June 2026 as Pride Month in Grand Rapids and urge all residents in celebrating and supporting our vibrant Pride community thank you, Mayor, Commissioners, uh City Manager, members of community. Uh today we recognize Pride Month and celebrate the diversity that helps make our city strong. Our community is made up of people from different backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life, and that diversity enriches our neighborhoods, workplaces, and civic life. Pride month is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all residents are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. As a city, we are at our best when every person feels welcome, valued, and able to fully participate in community life. So thank you to those who continue to work towards building a community where respect, understanding, and belonging are shared by all. Congratulations on this proclamation. I especially would like to thank our uh ERG group, uh Pride GR for their work that they do through, I'm sorry, Prism GR for the work that they do throughout uh the city of Grand Rapids, especially with staff, and we are also joined by many community partners today, especially uh Jazz McKinney, who represents the Pride Center. I'll give her a moment uh to have some remarks. Thank you. Um I just wanted to remind everyone that Pride Month isn't just a decoration, it isn't just a pretty rainbow, though it is, but it isn't just a pretty rainbow. It's not just a flag on a building or a social media post, it's a reminder that some of the people sitting in this very room serving the city have had to fight just to exist. Our employees, the city employees, our community reflect everyone in this community, queer people, trans people, our elders. We want to remember that there was a time that we were illegal. Young people are still figuring out who they are. Families may look different than what is considered to be the default. So when we honor pride Month, what we're saying is you belong here, you matter, and we see you. That shouldn't be considered politics. That should just be considered humanity. It makes us who we are, but when you do this, it makes us feel safer, but it's not the end-all be all. We need to continue to do things that help us to show up as our full selves, to be there for each other, to make residents and non-residents feel fully seen. So I ask you for this month. Don't just wear the colors. Don't just say happy Pride Month and keep it pushing. Ask someone how they're doing. Learn something, understand what inclusion truly means, not just as a checkbox, but as a practice. Remember that pride started as a protest, but it is still a promise that we are here and we are going to be here. And I also want to acknowledge that I understand that the next one will be about gun violence and that these issues are intersectional. Our queer community is impacted by gun violence as well. So I need you to listen to the next one as well because it matters to all of us. Thank you. So we want to ask uh both commission and our partners to join us for a photo. But in addition to that, we want to make sure that we end up invite everyone to the Prism GR employee resource group pride in a box celebration that they have every year. That'll be Thursday, June 18th at 10 a.m. in the city hall uh Monroe multi-purpose room. This event will feature pride swag, educational resources, and representatives from local organizations uh serving the community. No registration is required, and we hope to see you all there. So thank you. I get it.