Holly Springs (NC) Officially Declares First Pride Month Proclamation
Mayor Mike Kondratick called the moment historic, saying Holly Springs should be “a place where all of our neighbors can feel kindness without condition.”
Holly Springs, NC, May 21, 2026 — For the first time in Holly Springs history, the Town of Holly Springs officially proclaimed June as Pride Month during Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting, marking a significant moment for the town and drawing emotional remarks from both Mayor Mike Kondratick and Donna Friend, chair of Pride of Holly Springs.
The proclamation came during a meeting largely dominated by discussions of development, traffic, infrastructure, and the town’s proposed budget, but the Pride Month recognition shifted the evening into a more personal and cultural conversation about belonging, acceptance, and the kind of community Holly Springs wants to be as it continues to grow.
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Before reading the proclamation, Kondratick reflected on his own experiences working with members of the LGBTQIA community over many years as “a private citizen, as a candidate, and now as a public official.” He said he could not remember the first event he attended or the organizer he met, but he remembered clearly how those experiences made him feel.
“I remember after every conversation, I always felt a little bit better, a little happier, a little more focused on the things that matter the most,” Kondratick said. “What I eventually realized was that I had been welcomed into a group of people who were filled with loving kindness, who accepted everyone unconditionally.”
Kondratick said that feeling of acceptance helped shape his view of what Holly Springs itself should become.
“I want it to be a place where all of our neighbors can feel kindness without condition,” he said.
The mayor also directly acknowledged that the proclamation represented a change from the town’s past approach to Pride recognition.
“Now, for too long in Holly Springs, recognition of these basic rights has been denied,” Kondratick said. “Tonight, I am proud to be able to say that for the first time in Holly Springs history, in true recognition, I think, of the origins of this observance, that we will proclaim June as Pride Month.”
The proclamation states that the nation was founded on principles that “every person is created equal” and recognizes the contributions of LGBTQIA individuals locally, nationally, and internationally. It also states that LGBTQIA residents and visitors “should feel valued, safe, empowered, and supported by their peers, educators, employers, and community leaders.”
The proclamation further states that LGBTQIA youth should have “the freedom to be themselves without fear” and live free from “reprisal, discrimination, or bullying.”
After accepting the proclamation on behalf of Pride of Holly Springs, Friend called the recognition “an incredibly historic milestone” and said the moment carried additional meaning amid broader national debates surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
“Now more than ever, with diversity, equity, and inclusivity under attack, the tone has been set that everyone is welcome, accepted, protected, and celebrated in Holly Springs,” Friend said.
Friend also cited statistics from The Trevor Project regarding homelessness and suicide risk among LGBTQ youth, saying nearly one in three LGBTQ youth experiences homelessness at some point and that 62% have seriously considered suicide.
“It seems only fitting that the Pride Committee chose Proud to be Me as our theme for 2026,” Friend said. “Our theme along with this proclamation sends a strong message to the town that you can be proud to be your authentic self in Holly Springs.”
Pride of Holly Springs also announced upcoming community events, including “Pride in the Park” on June 19th and the organization’s third annual Pride Festival scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Holly Springs Cultural Center.
Great work Holly Springs Town Council!