California City Ousts LGBT Pride Month, Arrests Protestors

Several activists were arrested in California this week for protesting a meeting of their city council, which voted to reverse a mayoral decree designating June as LGBT Pride Month.

The Huffington Postreports that police removed the protestors from the council meeting in Porterville, a small city located in California's Central Valley, on Tuesday. The protestors, including Robin McGehee of LGBT direct action group GetEqual, were charged with disturbing the peace at the packed assembly, which debated the recent declaration by the city's mayor, Virginia Gurrola.

"Why does the LBGT community get special consideration?" Councilman Brian Ward argued. "Why can't it apply to everyone?"

"Because you hate us!" an audience member screamed. The Recorder, a local news source, recorded the remarks, as well as the audience's "outrage [which] ensued."

The council voted 3-2 to rescind the LGBT Pride Month proclamation, and, instead, declared June to be "a month of community charity and goodwill to all in Porterville."

Mayor Virginia Gurrola, who voted to uphold the decree she made following the U.S. Supreme Court's repeal of Proposition 8, expressed dismay on the council's decision.

"I looked at the proclamation, and thought that it was good, that we should welcome groups into our community, especially if they feel a need for that recognition," Gurrola told the Huffington Post. "I still stand behind it."