Recently I Was Asked Why I Voted Yes on Pride Art at City Hall.
When the City Council voted on whether to display Pride-themed art on the side of City Hall, the measure passed with majority support — and I voted yes. I want to be clear about why.
I believe we can all agree that LGBTQ+ people should feel welcome in our community. Public art on government property can be a powerful way to promote inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and acknowledge the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to Duvall. This is not something we do for only one group, we’ve also sought out ways to highlight Indigenous peoples and other underrepresented groups when we’ve recognized our community would benefit from more representation. When we intentionally recognize marginalized groups, we foster a sense of belonging among residents without promoting a specific political stance.
Some people say the Pride flag is political. I understand where that perspective comes from, there are contexts where it has been used in political debate. But I do not believe it is inherently political. Its meaning depends on context and intent. In this case, the context and intent were clear: a community-driven effort to convey inclusivity and acceptance of all people, including LGBTQ+ neighbors.
Before the vote, I spoke with a local teenager about the idea of neutrality in government. They told me they thought neutrality meant leaders shouldn’t bring their personal religion or beliefs into decisions that affect everyone, but they had never considered it to mean that government shouldn’t represent specific groups, especially marginalized ones. That perspective really stayed with me.
I also thought about how, every month, we issue proclamations that highlight specific groups or issues, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. These do not represent every single person in Duvall, but they matter deeply to many in our community. I cannot think of a single piece of public art that could make every person feel equally represented. That’s not the purpose of art. The purpose is to inspire, to represent stories and perspectives, and sometimes to speak directly to those who most need to hear, “You belong here.”
I know not everyone agreed with this decision. But as an elected official, I can’t make choices solely based on universal agreement, that would be impossible. My responsibility is to listen, to consider all perspectives, and to act in what I believe is the best interest of the community.
For me, voting yes was about ensuring the LGBTQ+ community heard a clear message from their city government: We see you. You are welcome here. You are supported here. That is a message I will always stand behind.
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Amy McHenry for Duvall Mayor 