2 days ago
Caddo Parish back LGBTQ+ pride month with support from community
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Community members, LGBTQ+ organizations, advocates, and allies packed the Caddo Parish Commissioners' meeting in support of the resolution recognizing Pride Month.
Sam Ortiz, co-founder of ShrevePride, gave a passionate and direct statement, emphasizing their mission to uplift, heal, connect, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
'The members of our community make up vital pieces of every fabric of this region, from the people who serve us in our restaurants to the people who serve us in public office. The diversity of those people is what makes us so rich, and the LGBTQ plus community is part of that diversity. This month, like every month, we strive to uplift,' said Ortiz.
The proclamation was moved by Caddo Commissioner Victor Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Steffon Jones on June 5, 2025.
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'That resolution simply states that we acknowledge that we appreciate and that we, accept the individuals in our community for their contributions to our community. That doesn't, that does not in any way, implicate or ask anyone to forgo their own personal values or their personal beliefs,' said Commissioner Thomas.
One of the longest active LGBTQ+ advocacy groups for Northwest Louisiana, 'PACE' People Acting for Change and Equality, was also in attendance.
'When our son first came out to us, I realized that I'd never been prejudiced. But I just realized there was just a lot I didn't know about what it meant to be gay in the city and in this country,' shared Critcher, 'And so I started to educate myself. And as I learned about the senseless discrimination that gay people face. It made me mad. And it just woke me up! I thought, I've got to do something,' said Critcher.
Critcher shared she helped bring the 'Be Fair Shreveport' Ordinance providing protection against sexual discrimination based on sexual orientation in 2013, which was an extension of former Mayor Glover's executive order.
Paige Hoffpauir, a Shreveport resident, testified against the Pride Month proclamation, comparing the LGBTQ+ community to Pickleball and JobCorps. After the testimonies, the Caddo Commission asked attendees to stand if they supported or opposed the proclamation.
Hoffpauir and one other person stood in opposition, while about 85% of the crowd stood up in support. Critcher said Hoffpauirs testimony was 'alarming 'jarring' but only amplifies that there is still work to do to unite the community.
After more than three hours of debate and other ordinances, the Caddo Commission voted in favor of the special resolution. The vote received nine yes votes and three no votes.
Chris Kracman: No
Gregory Young: Yes
Victor L. Thomas: Yes
John-Paul Young: Yes
Roy Burrell: Yes
Steffon Jones: Yes
Sotrmy Gage-Watts: Yes
Grace Anne Blake: Yes
John E. Atkins: No
Ron Cothran: Yes
Ed Lazarus: No
Ken Epperson, Sr.: Yes
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