Claiming neutrality on the controversial issue of lesbian and gay marriage, Mayor Cheryl Cox of Chula Vista denied South Bay Alliance's request to make a city proclamation for South Bay Pride. She also declined to declare yesterday the official Chula Vista Pride Day.
Though the parade carried on anyway from 1 to 5 p.m. yesterday in Chula Vista's Memorial Park, some were disappointed by what they perceived as a lack of support from the mayor. The mayor's chief of staff, Dan Forster, said that just because the mayor did not issue a city proclamation for the event does not mean that she does not support it.
"The mayor is very supportive of this event in Chula Vista and welcomes it," Forster said. "We just don't issue proclamations for city community events, just like we don't issue proclamations for events like the Lemon Festival, the Cinco de Mayo celebration, Bonitafest and the Starlight Parade."
South Bay Alliance, the group that organizes the Chula Vista Pride Day, explained that the mayor claims to have limited the number of city proclamations and letters of support to events that are more directly related to Chula Vista city governance, such as Arbor Day and Relay for Life.
"The mayor wasn't going to make the parade a city issue because she felt it wasn't as relevant to city business," Forster said. "For instance, we're dealing with the issue of the state budget right now, and that is an issue the mayor would jump into with both feet because it directly effects the city's ability to do business."
One couple that marched in the San Diego Pride Parade and have been together for 21 years, said that when they face issues of discrimination and bias because of their same-sex relationship, it is a disappointment to them both politically and personally.
"Laws have to change first before you can get officials to change," Val Pearson said. "The county had to deal with a similar issue in the clerk's office. Some of the employees did not want to work with (gay and lesbian) people to marry them. At first the county tried to respect their religious beliefs, but eventually they realized that if you work for the government, it is your job to perform the duties of the job as outlined in the law."
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