‘Seeking to silence us’: Fresno County policy will affect more than just Pride

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno County supervisors took up a controversial item Tuesday, which would dictate how the county decides what events and celebrations its departments can take part in, including Pride Month.

It was standing room only inside the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday morning. Dozens showed up to voice concerns over a policy they believe targets the LGBTQ+ community.

“It was kind of concerning. And then we’re looking at platforms, and then Bredefeld’s very specifically anti-LGBTQ platform, clearly doesn’t support my family or our family,” said Fresno resident Russ Zokaites.

Zokaites is a music teacher at Fresno State and was at the meeting with his husband, Logan McLeod, and their child. The family lives in the district that Supervisor Garry Bredefeld represents.

“They are actively seeking to suppress voices, they are actively seeking to silence us,” McLeod said.

It was back in June that Bredefeld requested an audit by the Fresno County Administrative Office after he said nearly $6,000 of county funds were spent by county organizations at Fresno’s Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival.

“We got to stop promoting this stuff. We got to stop trying to indoctrinate children,” Bredefeld said.

Bredefeld previously proposed an administrative order that would require the board’s approval before spending money at a community event. He, along with Nathan Magsig, now believes the events county agencies participate in should be limited.

“There’s currently no written policy governing what county departments celebrate,” said Fresno County Administrative Officer (CAO) Paul Nerland.

The board was presented with three options to vote on:

1. Departments are required to bring proposed celebrations before the board for approval.
2. County holidays and any additional events approved by the CAO.
3. Celebrations strictly limited to board-approved holidays and proclamations.

“If we’re going to have the county participate at a [cultural event]… myself or any member of the board is required to bring a resolution or a proclamation prior to the event in order for the county to participate in that event?” Fresno County District 1 Supervisor Brian Pacheco asked.

Some supervisors pushed back.

“I realize you’re focusing on Pride Month. I’m focusing on everything else,” said Pacheco.

Saying this vote would not just impact Pride Month, but other community events as well.

“They are professionals, they have more information than we do, and they should make those decisions regarding public health or whatever event that is. They’ve done it in the past,” Pacheco said.

The holidays Fresno County will recognize are:

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents Day
• Cesar Chavez Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

According to the proposal in option 1, if a county agency wants to participate in a holiday or event outside of this list, they would need to submit the event six months to a year in advance for the board to approve it.

“I too, disagree that we’re going to micromanage because we can’t think of everything we’re going to do all year and people are going to be left out and we should represent all the people, not our personal beliefs,” Pacheco expressed. “Because as one speaker said, her values are not my values.”

Supervisors had a three-to-two vote to explore option 1, asking the CAO to draft a policy that is clearer and less ambiguous. This discussion will return on September 9 or 23 for final approval of the policy.

Residents said they will continue to show up to have their voices heard.