The Birmingham News reported on Saturday that Mayor Larry Langford declined to issue the traditional mayoral proclamation celebrating Central Alabama Pride or to allow Pride banners on city right-of-ways.  Most disturbingly, the article reported that the Mayor intended to deny the required permit for the annual Pride parade based on his personal animus toward GLBT and their "lifestyle."  The Mayor subsequently reversed his position on the parade permit.  However, it remains to be seen whether the private prejudices of public officials will manifest themselves in other ways during this year's Pride celebrations.  We must send a clear message to the city government that we support Pride and the rights of all people to equal treatment under the law.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

We are voters and tax-payers. We are workers and business owners, consumers and producers. We are law-abiding citizens of this city, state, and nation.

We proudly support the longstanding tradition of celebrating Pride in Birmingham, and we express our complete solidarity with all the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of our community.

Accordingly, we call upon the public officials of the city of Birmingham, with its painful history of institutionalized oppression, to renounce all forms of prejudice and discrimination against minority groups and to guarantee to all citizens equal treatment under the law.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
May 28, 2008