June is Pride Month, and in the city of Troy, there is public disagreement over whether to mark the occasion.
Republican Councilor Bill Keal, of District 1, voted against recognizing Pride Month last week — saying it's for the same reason as last year.
"I don't believe in the whole agenda," Keal said.
The vote came after Collar City Pride pulled its pride festival from the city, citing a Facebook post made by the city's gay deputy mayor welcoming President Trump back to office earlier this year.
Deputy Mayor Seamus Donnelly defended the post, saying he's entitled to free speech. But the nonprofit’s founder, Meagon Nolasco, who lives in Keal’s district, says the vote is threatening.
“He’s gone against his own party two years in a row to vote against this,” Nolasco said. “That feels targeted. That feels intentional. That feels dangerous to me.”
The measure easily passed and advanced to the regular council meeting in early June.
