Westmoreland County commissioners are expected to approve seven proclamations at this week’s public meeting — including honors for an Olympic medalist and a retiring airport executive — while continuing to face criticism for their refusal to formally recognize the LGBTQ+ community.
Ash Franzetti of Greensburg said she cannot understand why Republicans Sean Kertes and Doug Chew continue to reject calls to recognize her community.
“Like, you can’t do anything for the trans and nonbinary community. I understand that you, Sean and Doug, have to pander to the terrorist base, but honestly you can’t honor 5% to 10% of your own who actively vote in November,” Franzetti said during the commissioners’ agenda-setting meeting Tuesday in advance of Thursday’s public session.
Franzetti and others have previously asked commissioners to approve a proclamation acknowledging the rights of those who identify as LGBTQ+ and renewed that request Tuesday. The request asks commissioners to acknowledge the upcoming Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and to affirm that members of the LGBTQ+ community can be safe and live open lives in Westmoreland County.
Commissioner Ted Kopas, a Democrat, said he has repeatedly pitched proclamations on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, including multiple efforts to mark Pride Month in June, but has been rebuffed each time by Kertes and Chew.
“This issue is important for all who care, and it’s a worthy thing,” Kopas said.
Kertes said sexual preferences and personal identity are issues government should avoid.
“I just feel government should remain neutral when it comes to matters of sexual identity. Every American has the absolute right to live freely, express themselves, celebrate their private lives, their private organizations. The role of local government is not to be part of the bedroom and their personal lives,” Kertes said.
Chew said he concurred with Kertes’ position.
Proclamations dealing with social and personal accomplishments are standard actions at the start of public meetings and almost always receive unanimous support from county commissioners. Earlier this month, commissioners passed proclamations declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and honoring a former police dog that died.
This week, commissioners are slated to honor Jeannette native Jasmine Jones, who won an Olympic bobsled bronze medal last month, and Gabe Monzo, who is retiring at the end of April as executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority.
Other proclamations to be considered include recognizing a child advocacy organization leader and a Mt. Pleasant Citizen of the Year award winner; naming March as National Bleeding Disorders Month; establishing National Library Week in mid-April; and naming last week as Pennsylvania 4-H Week.
Jean Slusser, president of the Greensburg chapter of PFLAG, a local advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ rights, said her organization last year submitted a petition to commissioners with more than 500 signatures asking for public support.
“Nothing happened. I think because there are so many negatives circulating in our community and across the country about the LGBTQ. People who identify as trans are frightened for their safety,” Slusser said.
Jim Galik, president of the Westmoreland LGBTQ+ Interfaith Network, said he was disappointed and frustrated by the positions held by Kertes and Chew.
“At least two of our commissioners don’t seem to get it,” Galik said.
