Proclamation 1, Proclamation 2

June 5, 2026

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Here’s the text of the proclamation issued by three of the five Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, June 2, 2026:

RECOGNIZING _ LGBT+ ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TULARE COUNTY
WHEREAS, Tulare County is home to a rich and diverse community ·where compassion, belonging, and service strengthen the bonds between neighbors; and


WHEREAS, The Source LGBT+ Center, PFLAG Tulare & Kings Counties, and the Visalia Pride Lions Club have each demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to ensuring that all residents are treated with dignity and respect; and


WHEREAS, PFLAG Tulare & Kings Counties offers understanding, encouragement, and education to families and allies of LGBTQ+ individuals, helping to foster acceptance and strengthen relationships across generations; and


WHEREAS, the Visalia Pride Lions Club exemplifies the spirit of service through its volunteerism, philanthropy, and outreach, uniting community members in efforts that promote inclusion and kindness for all; and


WHEREAS, The Source LGBT+ Center, celebrating their 10th anniversary, provides vital programs and services that promote health, education, advocacy, and empowerment, serving as a safe and affirming space for individuals and families throughout Tulare County; and


WHEREAS, these organizations promote understanding, cultivate vibrant communities, and champion the fundamental rights of all citizens, ensuring that everyone – regardless of who they are or whom they love – has the opportunity to live with dignity and pride.


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tulare County Board of Supervisors does hereby recognize PFLAG Tulare & Kings Counties, the Visalia Pride Lions Club, and The Source LGBT + Center for their dedication, advocacy, and lasting contributions to the people of Tulare County.

Here’s a proclamation Gemini AI and I created, that uses almost the exact same language as the first, but is about three other organizations in Tulare County:

Here’s the text of my faux proclamation:

County of TwoLarry
Board of Supervisors

Proclamation
RECOGNIZING FAMILY SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TWOLARRY COUNTY

WHEREAS, TwoLarry County is home to a rich and diverse community where compassion, belonging, and service strengthen the bonds between neighbors; and

WHEREAS, The Parenting Network, Inc., Family Services of Tulare County, and CSET have each demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to ensuring that all residents are treated with dignity and respect; and

WHEREAS, The Parenting Network, Inc. offers understanding, encouragement, and education to families, helping to foster acceptance and strengthen relationships across generations; and

WHEREAS, CSET exemplifies the spirit of service through its volunteerism, philanthropy, and outreach, uniting community members in efforts that promote inclusion and kindness for all; and

WHEREAS, Family Services of Tulare County provides vital programs and services that promote health, education, advocacy, and empowerment, serving as a safe and affirming space for individuals and families throughout TwoLarry County; and

WHEREAS, these organizations promote understanding, cultivate vibrant communities, and champion the fundamental rights of all citizens, ensuring that everyone – regardless of who they are – has the opportunity to live with dignity and pride.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the TwoLarry County Board of Supervisors does hereby recognize The Parenting Network, Inc., CSET, and Family Services of Tulare County for their dedication, advocacy, and lasting contributions to the people of TwoLarry County.

Here are some comments on Facebook posts by various news sources about the Supervisors walking out during the presentation:

Cari – People are sick and tired of seeing this crap at EVERY turn! I could care less which way one leans, but honoring someone because of their sexuality is about the most RIDICULOUS thing I may have ever heard of, and at a Board of Supervisors meeting?!

Deborah – Keep it in the bedroom not the boardroom! Geeze people. This is sickening. Grow up! Stop pushing your sins on everyone.

Joel – Right on. We need to stop celebrating a small section of society and acknowledging them for their sexual preferences. So stupid and absurd to celebrate people not procreating and many living a life of debauchery. Celebrate mom’s and dad’s for June.

David – This is not about homophobia or bigotry it is about keeping your sex life out of politics. Proclamations like this are divisive. Should we have a heterosexual proclamation? For Christians, the Bible is very clear; no room for interpretation. I will always treat Amy with respect, but I do not agree with her life choices, and they do belong at home, not the office.

Now, in any of the text of either proclamation, is there any reference to bedrooms, sin, sexual preferences, debauchery, or life choices? If the second proclamation could be acceptable because the organizations are not LGBT related, and with barely any change in the text, why are so many up in arms about the first?

I think I know. I suspect you do, too.

Cowardly Lions, Part 2 – Defending the indefensible

June 3, 2026

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The Dynamic Duo on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors is doubling-down. After walking out of the Board Chambers during a proclamation presentation recognizing three local LGBT organizations, both District 5 Board member Dennis Townsend and District 2 Board member Pete Vander Poel, while insisting their actions were “respectful”, have had to defend themselves in response to public outcry, and questions from newspaper reporters. For the back-story, read my previous blog post, Cowardly Lions.

Vander Poel, in an interview given to the Sun-Gazette newspaper, said he supported The Source LGBT+ Center and The Visalia Pride Lions, two of the three organizations recognized by the proclamation. He would not support the proclamation, however, because it included PFLAG Tulare & Kings Counties.

Having never heard of PFLAG before, Vander Poel says in an email response to a constituent, that he did some “research” on the group. A picture there apparently triggered Vander Poel. It showed, he said, “When you look at their home page you will see a photo. In that photo, there are individuals holding signs that say “Trump Treason=Lock Him Up” and “Fight Ignorance Not Immigrants” and “Affordable Health Care for All”. On the about link, they highlight protesting. On the PFLAG national website, they talk about “Fighting” and “Protesting”. Vander Poel went on to say, “Activism and protesting are not strategies I believe in and I did not want to recognize a seemingly political organization that focuses on that.” I find it strange that he says “activism and protesting are not strategies I believe in.” Really? What country does he live in?

That, of course, is not what PFLAG is all about. “PFLAG ​is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.” – From the “About Us” page on PFLAG National’s website. Vander Poel grabbed onto one partially visible sign in one picture on one page of the website, and decided that meant the local PFLAG chapter was all about “fighting” and “protesting”.

Townsend, in the same Sun-Gazette interview, says he was not familiar with Visalia Pride Lions. He described PFLAG as a ‘far-left wing political organization, and was about the LGBT lifestyle’. He told the Board of Supervisors staff to remove his name from the proclamation form.

Channeling the ghosts of a proclamation fiasco in a city in his district, Porterville, from back in 2013, Townsend accused Board Chair Amy Shuklian of a “little sleight of hand”. In the 2013 incident, Porterville City Council members accused then-Mayor Virginia Gurrola of manipulating the procedures to present a June Pride Month Proclamation for that city. Townsend accused Shuklian of originally presenting it as a recognition of The Source LGBT+ Center’s 10th anniversary, and was a “setup” to have it presented during Pride Month. He said it was “not appropriate”.

What it boils down to, is both Vander Poel and Townsend are right-wing Republicans, and have, apparently, decided that supporting the LGBT community in such a visible manner is a bridge too far.

I let them know how I feel about their actions in public comments immediately after the proclamation.

“I find it very disturbing that Mr. Vander Poel and Mr. Townsend left the room during this presentation. The disrespect that shows is just stunning to me, that you would be leaders of the entire county and walk out of this room when the LGBT community is recognized. Thank you to the three that stayed, and made very nice comments. I think they’re fine examples of leadership in this county. Three out of five, I guess.”

The fallout is still raining down. Social media is buzzing with talk about the subject. My posts alone, in less than 30 hours, have had over 40,000 views, just on this subject.

I told members of the Board of Trustees of the Visalia Unified School District that they “needed to do better”, in a recent public comments session. Now it looks like I’ll have to direct that message to two of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, as well.

The joys of living in a bright red part of California. *sigh*

Cowardly Lions

June 2, 2026

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Meet Tulare County Supervisors Pete Vander Poel (left), and Dennis Townsend. Today they demonstrated a glaring lack of leadership during the June 2, 2026, Board meeting. Not just that, though. They sent a very strong message to their constituents. For their MAGA compatriots, they will no doubt be hailed as heroes. For the LGBTQ community, however, they sent a very different message. One of contempt and disdain.

Board Chair Amy Shuklian, seen below, issued a proclamation recognizing three LBGTQ organizations for their “contributions to Tulare County”. It was signed by Shuklian, and Board members Larry Micari and Eddie Valero.

You’ll notice two empty chairs on the dais. (Well, three, but Amy’s doesn’t count, since she’s the one making the presentation) Those empty seats belong to Vander Poel and Townsend. They wouldn’t even stay in the room during the presentation. This is a clear abrogation of their duties as representatives of Tulare County as a whole. There are over 473,000 people living here, and if the nation-wide percentages of the queer community as part of the total population hold true here, and there’s no reason to suspect they don’t, then at least 47,300 of those constituents are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Townsend and Vander Poel just told them what they think of them. There’s clearly no respect there.

Here’s the proclamation they wouldn’t be in the same room for:

It’s a sad commentary on right-wing politics (because both are local Republican leaders) when something as innocuous as a proclamation recognizing three organizations for their social outreach and public service activities is a bridge too far. It’s bad enough not to sign it, but leaving the room is a slap in the face of every LGBT person in Tulare County, and those that love them.

Cowardly lions, both of them. Oz needs to give them courage, and a heart. It’s clear they have neither.

Déjà vu all over again: Liberty Hill, Texas

June 27, 2023

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In 2008, the City Council of Porterville, California became the first and only government body to formally vote to urge residents to support Proposition 8 on the statewide ballot. That proposition would go on to pass, and banned marriage equality (AKA gay marriage) in the state. In 2013, after appeals and rulings, the United States District Court would strike down the initiative as un-Constitutional. (In 2015, the United States Supreme Court would rule that marriage equality bans were a violation of the US Constitution as well, and struck down all bans.)

What has this to do with Liberty Hill, Texas? That’s the déjà vu all over again.

On June 14, 2023, Mayor Liz Branigan of Liberty Hill, Texas, issued a proclamation, designating June as Pride Month.

I’m sure Liberty Hill has, like most communities, a lot of issues for local government to deal with. It takes something like a Pride Proclamation to get the folks of the town to pay attention. They showed up at the city council meeting, most of them not happy. You’d think the Mayor had just imposed ‘wokeness’ on them, and the citizens now have to wear stylish clothes and listen to Drag Queens read them children’s stories.

Here is the text of the entire proclamation:

PRIDE PROCLAMATION
Whereas, Liberty Hill is a Loving, Wholesome and Family-centered community; and
Whereas, Liberty Hill is an inclusive and supportive community; and
Whereas, We value all of our citizens because of the unique and precious nature of all of God’s children; and
Whereas, We oppose hate, abuse, discrimination or bullying of any person,
Now Therefore, I, Liz Branigan, as Mayor, do proclaim the month of June as Pride Month in Liberty Hill, in harmony with the larger community of the United States.
Proclaimed this the 14th day of June 2023.

Mayor Liz Branigan

That’s rather bland, isn’t it? It doesn’t even specifically refer to LGBTQ. That didn’t stop the “loving Christians” from flooding the council chambers and going off on the ‘slippery slope’ the city was forcing on them.

This is almost a replay of the events of June, 2013, in Porterville, California. Porterville is a small city in Central California, smack in the buckle of the state’s very red, very conservative Bible belt of the central valley. Kevin McCarthy is the Congressman for the area, as Devin Nunes was before him.

Here’s a blog I wrote about the Porterville proclamation, before it was issued.

When the proclamation was issued by Porterville’s mayor, all hell broke loose. (Kudos to Liberty Hill for not having a scene anything like Porterville’s.)

It should be noted that up until this proclamation, the process to issue one in Porterville was similar to Liberty Hill’s. The mayor gets an application from someone in the community, they decide if it meets the very basic requirements, and if so it gets placed on the agenda. Someone on city staff prints up the proclamation, it’s slipped into one of those blue folders, the Mayor and, if they desire, the city council members sign it. It’s then presented at a council meeting, usually to the person that initiated the request.

The only person to sign Porterville’s proclamation was the Mayor, Virginia Gurrola. Here’s the Porterville proclamation.

Another one of those “divisive” “gay agenda” things being “rammed down their throats”.

The proclamation did not go over well.

Other city council members decided enact another first in the nation (as far as we can ascertain), and rescind the proclamation in a formal vote. That didn’t work out as first planned, because the council members were in such a rush to undo what the Mayor had done that they didn’t add it to the agenda correctly. Thus began a Keystone Kops caper stretching over the summer as the other council members struggled to get it right. They eventually did, and rescinded the Pride proclamation, and ‘replaced’ it with a proclamation of “A Month of Community Charity and Goodwill to All in Porterville”. Doesn’t that sound like something that was said in the Liberty Hill meeting?

So now Liberty Hill Texas has a choice. Will they wish their LGBT community a happy Pride Month, or will they go the Porterville route, and fight tooth and nail to remove a rather milquetoast proclamation? Will they vilify the mayor?

The Visalia Times Delta published a blog post I wrote about the entire situation in the September 21-22, 2013 print edition of the Opinion page. You can read it here.

It’ll be interesting to see what Liberty Hill decides to do.

Like I said, déjà vu all over again.