Columbia resident calls on mayor to rescind Pride Month proclamation; Lutz says he'll stand by it

Lutz: "I will stand by it."

JOE LINTNER L | COLUMBIA SPY 

A Columbia Borough resident has asked Mayor Leo Lutz to rescind his proclamation declaring June 2026 as Pride Month. 

At the June 23 Columbia Borough Council Meeting, resident Jesse Rabinowitz told council he objects to the proclamation on religious and philosophical grounds. Reading from a prepared statement, he said that while he believes every person has equal worth because they are "created in the image of God," he does not believe publicly celebrating LGBT identity or pride is the right way to express that respect. 

He argued that the proclamation "is an open door for public celebrations of homosexuality and pride, which undermines our community," and said he and others in attendance consider it "logically inconsistent to seek equality by elevating one group above others."

Rabinowitz also said he wants Columbia to remain a town "where families are comfortable walking downtown and enjoying our rich history, shopping at our 34 antique shops and sitting down for a bite at Hinkle's without having one group's flag publicly flying over the town." He asked Lutz to retract the proclamation, saying it does not represent the whole community.

Lutz responded by defending his decision, noting that in his nearly 25 years as mayor he has issued proclamations for many nationally recognized causes regardless of his personal views. 

"Whether I agree with it or not is not material," Lutz said. "I have my own personal feelings and beliefs. But as mayor, if I am asked to do something for a group that is basically recognized nationally, I probably will do it."

Lutz pointed to two passages he said were the heart of the proclamation: language affirming that the nation was founded on the principle that "every person is created equal" with a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and language stating that it is "essential that our LGBTQIA+ youth be accorded the freedom to be themselves without fear and live free from reprisal, discrimination or bullying." Lutz said those two points were why he signed the proclamation. "I will stand by it," he said.

The proclamation, issued June 9, states that Pride Month is "a time to recognize and celebrate the impact of LGBTQIA+ individuals locally, nationally, and internationally" and that the community "is strengthened by the rich diversity of our residents." Several audience members applauded after Lutz's remarks.

[Rabinowitz was recently appointed as a member of the Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board.]