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GayPASG Note:
I received an early call this morning while in the kitchen from a California
station and had a good conversation with them but failed to get the person's name, and it was not on the caller ID.
I found this article with the help of Google and sent them a long e-mail. California has had a Gay Right Law since 1992.
John Crowell Campbell
Gay Festival, Yes, Proclamation, No
Mayor's Office Withdraws Designation Of Gay Pride Day
TheBakersfieldChannel.com from the Web, August 24, 2004
BAKERSFIELD, CA Aug. 23 -- There wasn't a lot of pride in Mayor Harvey Hall's statement Monday, withdrawing a proclamation that would designate Gay Pride Day in Bakersfield next month.
The Gay Pride festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 4, and was supposed to feature a presentation by Hall.
But the mayor has changed his position, following what he calls "numerous e-mails, letters and telephone calls from many people objecting a proclamation designating Gay Pride Day in our city."
The statement expressed what Hall termed as disappointment, but said "he understands the feelings of the majority of our community."
"After much agonized deliberation," wrote Hall, "I have chosen to withdraw from presenting a Gay Pride proclamation."
But organizers claim it won't dampen the festival.
Whitney Weddell, one of the festival's organizers, said the Mayor met with them Monday afternoon to explain his position and there was a mutual understanding.
The festival is moving forward as planned with several hundred people expected to attend.
Hall didn't respond to several requests by 23 News for a comment about Gay Pride Day.
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