Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Requests Review of Pride Recognition Policies

Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto requested the city begin the process of potentially rescinding policies recognizing LGBTQ Pride Month at Thursday night's City Council meeting.

Pradetto also asked the city to update Resolution 2018-09, which affirms Palm Desert's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

"When the government uses public facilities to elevate one group, even with the best of intentions, it suggests the implicit prioritization of one group's identities over others," Pradetto said at the meeting.

Resolution 24-038, adopted in June 2024, established several Pride Month recognition practices for the city. These include displaying a Pride flag at City Hall, recognizing June as Pride Month annually at City Council meetings and on social media, and participating in November's Palm Springs Pride Parade when temperatures are cooler.

The resolution also directs city staff to present an annual request to the mayor and mayor pro tem each May to consider Pride Month recognition for June.

Resolution 2018-09, passed unanimously by the City Council in February 2018, states that Palm Desert values all community members "including, but not limited to, people of any disability, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, or gender identity." The resolution affirms the city will not tolerate prejudice, racism, bigotry, hatred, bullying, or violence toward any groups within the community.

We reached out to the city to comment on the request. Public Affairs Manager Thomas Soule told NBC Palm Springs that the request is simply for future agenda placement and that no action has been taken at this time.

“As of now, the earliest this item would return to Council is the second meeting in January, though it may be February,” said Soule. “It’s anticipated that any initial discussion would take place in a study session format, allowing space for a full and thoughtful dialogue among Councilmembers before any decisions are considered.”

“To my knowledge, the Pride banner is the only identity-based recognition currently displayed on City Hall,” Soule added. “The scope of potential changes, if any, will be determined through that public process.”