Palm Desert Councilmember Jan Harnik discusses proposal to not recognize Pride Month

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - Hours of testimony and debate after a proposal for the city to not recognize Pride Month, including the display of a Pride banner at City Hall.

Councilmembers ultimately voted 4-1 to reject the proposal, introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto.

A day after the meeting, the dust continues to settle. Tonight, questions remain on how city leaders will move forward and once again unify the city. Councilmember Jan Harnick made a motion to not change city policy.

News Channel 3's Daniella Lake sat down with Harnick to discuss the aftermath of the proposal, that debate, and all the responses from residents.

"It was awful. We have a lot of work to do now. We have to make sure that people understand and are reassured they are safe, they are welcome. And that is not who Palm Desert is," Harnik said.

Daniella asked Harnik, "You chose to pick a fight with a pride flag. When this proposal first came up, did it seem out of the blue to you?"

Harnik answered, "I was stunned. Frankly, I was stunned. I didn't know where it came from, why it happened. What, what was the goal? What, what were, what was somebody trying to achieve? And it was one of my colleagues on the council. I don't know what he wanted to achieve and I don't know how he thought it would make our community better."

Harnik led the charge for councilmembers in striking down the proposal.

"This one is so easy in my mind and what I said last night is, the pride banner, the LGBTQ+ banner, is an American success story. There are places in the world you can't put that up. We can because we recognize that our community members, no matter who they are, are important and we must acknowledge them," Harnik said.

Harnick says that the city is working to make sure residents know that everyone is welcome in Palm Desert.