Frisco revises proclamation guidelines
A scene from Pride Frisco festival 2023 The city spent time figuring out how to not issue proclamations in order to exclude Pride DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer taffet@dallasvoice.com The mayor of Frisco has released new guidelines on who can receive a city proclamation, and those guidelines exclude Pride Frisco, organizers of the annual Pride event told Dallas Voice this week.
When it comes to proclamations from the city of Frisco now, individuals may receive recognition upon retirement with at least 30 years of service, for celebrating an anniversary of at least 50 years or in recognition of an extraordinary act of service to the community. (That third one, of course, puts the mayor in the awkward position of deciding whose service is extraordinary and whose isn’t.) Next on the list are “charitable fundraising campaigns, arts, athletic and cultural celebrations.” Pride Frisco, with its wide array of booths displaying the variety of things the LGBTQ community offers, would certainly qualify under cultural celebrations, right, “Special public events taking place in the city of Frisco with a defined event date,” is next on the list.
Again, Pride Frisco — which takes place in Toyota Stadium in Frisco from 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 6 — qualifies. Finally on the list comes “other extraordinary events, activities, individuals or achievements as determined by the mayor.” Proclamations are issued in person by the mayor at city council meetings and are limited to two per meeting.
They’re scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Jon and Justin Culpepper, who created and run Pride Frisco, believe that’s the biggest sticking point.
