Denton Rallies Following Mayor's Refusal To Offer Official Pride Proclamation

A rally in Denton originally meant to celebrate the city's LGBTQ+ community became an act of protest on Tuesday when Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth declined the opportunity to make the city's Pride proclamation.

The declaration would have officially recognized the month of June as Pride Month in Denton.

“The Mayor has not communicated any reasoning for the denial, despite repeated outreach,” according to a press release from PRIDENTON, the organization behind many of Denton's official Pride Month events.

In response to this denial, around 150 people gathered outside Denton City Hall on Tuesday evening. Many attendees were local business owners, voters, college students and residents. Four of Denton’s City Council members were present — Vicki Byrd, Brandon Chase McGee, Paul Metzler and Brian Beck stood near the front of the crowd, signaling their support for the rally and "People’s Proclamation," which took the place of the official declaration.

Rally speakers detailed the events leading up to Hudspeth’s refusal. They reminded the community that despite his refusal to give the proclamation this year, he gave a nearly identical proclamation in 2022. Speakers said such a proclamation would have been a minimal action to indicate support for Denton’s queer community. PRIDENTON’S press release says official remarks serve as “critical symbols of inclusion and affirmation” for LGBTQ+ Texans, stating, “Our community needs visible and vocal support from our elected leaders and we deserve nothing less.”

Despite the mayor’s decision, the mood at the rally was still positive. Many there wore bright colors, waved rainbow flags and carried signs with messages such as “Trans Texans Deserve to Exist.”

Attendees also voiced their grievances.

“This rally has now become the people’s proclamation. We cannot be discarded,” said James Jackson, a PRIDENTON board member. “We are here to stay.”


Since Hudpseth would not read the proclamation during the City Council meeting, Jackson read the proclamation to the crowd. The decree referenced Denton’s non-discrimination ordinance, which was passed in March 2022, as well as the number of anti-trans bills that were proposed during Texas’ just-adjourned 89th legislative session. The statement concluded, “I, the LGBTQIA2S+ community of the city of Denton, Texas, do hereby declare and proclaim the month of June 2025 as Denton’s LGBTQIA2S+ Pride month.” The closing line was met with cheers from the crowd.

Following Jackson’s reading, local activists Deborah Armintor and Carmen Cruz gave brief speeches. Armintor, a former Denton council member, referred to the official Pride proclamation as a “lowest bar gesture” that Hudspeth could have made to indicate that the queer community is accepted in Denton.

Armintor called attention to Hudspeth’s past words and actions that have “bungled” opportunities to show support for his constituents in the queer community. For instance, even though Denton’s non-discrimination ordinance was passed by a council majority in 2022, Hudspeth voted against it.

“The mayor’s denial has backfired on him big time,” Armintor said, calling Hudspeth's denial “a whole new Denton low.”

Armintor ended her speech by reminding the crowd of the “beautiful life and violent death” of Dylan Gurley, a 22-year-old homeless transwoman who was murdered in Denton on July 23, 2024.

“She would still be alive today if she had a bed at the shelter,” Armintor said, pointing out that the Denton City Council has since voted to lower availability at the local shelter.


Cruz, founder of PRIDENTON, said that the mayor’s actions sent a “loud and painful message” that the contributions of LGBTQIA+ Dentonites are not valued. Her speech also focused on this year’s theme for Pride events in Denton: Legacy of Resilience.

“We are here because of those who came before us who refused to give up,” Cruz said. “We will not be erased, and we will not be silenced.”

Following the rally, several people entered Denton City Hall to attend the City Council meeting, while those outside chanted, “We’re here! We’re queer! We won’t be ruled by fear!”

The council chamber filled quickly, with roughly a dozen attendees standing along the back wall. Hudspeth remained mostly impassive during public comments.

“Being loud and proud about who you are is a very Texan thing to do,” Jackson commented. “We’re not asking for much.”

George Ferrie, a PRIDENTON board member and local activist, expressed disappointment during his public comment.

“This is about life and death,” Ferrie said. “To deny a Pride proclamation in Denton is to contribute to this climate of fear. This harm is not abstracted; it is lived by real people."

Audience members softly snapped their fingers to show support for speakers. However, a moment of louder applause resulted in Hudspeth waving for a police officer to stand at the chamber door to quell any disruption. One attendee suddenly left the chamber after loudly chanting Gurley’s name.

Two of the council members who attended the rally, Beck and Meltzer, expressed support for the public commenters. Following Ferrie’s comments, Beck said, “It is a statement of fact that June is Pride Month," while Meltzer asked the mayor to “give [Meltzer] a little latitude.” At one point, Meltzer was interrupted by Hudspeth.

“Succinctly say what you need to say,” Hudspeth told him.

Visibly frustrated, Meltzer simply concluded, “I celebrate Pride month with you.”

PRIDENTON's complete list of Pride Month events can be found here.