Mayor Lynn Spruill signed and presented a proclamation recognizing June as Gay Pride month earlier this week.
The month of June is nationally and internationally recognized as Gay Pride Month.
Spruill said the proclamation was declared, because it was one of the stipulations that was important to Starkville Pride, which helped the city and the organization get to a point where they were comfortable in resolving the litigation.
She said the proclamation was a chance to show Starkville Pride the courtesy and appreciation of there being LGBT citizens in Starkville, and the city is glad they're here, and that the city wants them to be comfortable being a part of the community.
"So it wasn't just a money issue, it was a respect issue," Spruill said. "Diversity is important and it is to be acknowledged, it's to be appreciated, it's to be embraced."
According to the proclamation, Gay Pride is intended to encourage honesty and openness about being or supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community.
Starkville had its first Gay Pride Parade on March 24, having more than 2,000 participants and making it the largest parade in Starkville's parade history.
The proclamation says although there is still work to be done, the city's historic pride parade was a testament to the progress that our country, state, and city has made in valuing all citizens no matter their race, religion, gender identity, or sexuality orientation.
"It is my duty as Mayor to ensure that all of our residents-including LGBTQ individuals and their friends, families, and allies feel safe and welcome in the City of Starkville," Spruill wrote in the proclamation."Recognizing that this city is full of generous, goodhearted, and wonderful people, and we must all strive to treat each other with kindness and respect."