Reading Select Board passes Pride Month Resolution in remote meeting marked by tension and delayed action
(6-7 minute read)
For residents looking to stay up to date on key town matters, the following recap highlights the main takeaways from the Reading Select Board meeting held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The meeting, conducted over Zoom, was a single-item agenda focused on voting on a Pride Month Resolution - a vote that had been notably absent from the Board’s final regular May meeting, breaking with precedent.
See the full meeting packet here.
Watch the full meeting on RCTV’s Youtube channel.
Summary of the meeting
The June 3 meeting was called outside of the Board’s regular schedule. Town Manager Matt Kraunelis opened by explaining the structure of the session. Present were members Karen Rose-Gillis, Chris Haley, Karen Herrick, Melissa Murphy, and Carlo Bacci (who joined late). Ms. Murphy remained off-camera throughout, while Ms. Herrick participated with a visible rainbow-themed virtual background.
As Ms. Rose-Gillis began reading the full Pride Resolution, Mr. Bacci interrupted with a motion to skip the reading of the resolution and proceed directly to a vote. No member seconded the motion, and the resolution was read in full before being unanimously approved, 5-0.
The meeting followed a wave of public criticism over the Pride Resolution being left off the May 27 agenda. Since 2022, the resolution has been included at or just before the start of Pride Month. The omission raised questions about the leadership of Select Board Chair Haley and Vice Chair Murphy - particularly regarding their prioritization of LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion.
Delayed, remote, and underattended
Unlike prior years, this year’s vote happened in between regular meetings and was held remotely, making it more difficult for residents to attend and show support. While technically compliant with public meeting laws, the off-cycle, virtual approach led many to question whether the decision was made to reduce visibility.
Mr. Haley’s explanation for the delay, offered during the May 27 meeting, raised further questions:
“The Select Board was notified by the way of Jackie from town staff...we received - or at least me and Melissa received- an email at 12:08 pm in the afternoon first referencing the town Pride celebration being held on June 7th. I was unaware that the Pride event was on the 7th, I thought it was on the 14th.”
“That was the first time I received an email mentioning June 7th, ever, to the Select Board. I also saw the Reading Post mentioning today, that is going to be held on June 7th.”
The responsibility for setting the agenda ultimately lies with the Select Board Chair, in consultation with the Town Manager. Haley’s confusion over the date of the Pride event does not adequately explain why the resolution itself - a standard annual item - was omitted entirely. A quick review of past May agendas would have shown the need for the resolution to be on the May 27 agenda. But a review was either not done, or the resolution was omitted intentionally.
Sharp contrast in Select Board responses
When asked for comment, members’ responses revealed stark differences in approach and leadership tone:
Karen Rose-Gillis acknowledged the issue:
“I feel it is very important to have resolutions and proclamations done in advance so we are not caught off guard. That being said, ... I was not yet elected when these items could have been put on the agenda… I have placed a marker in my calendar to begin the discussion in March 2026 to ensure Pride and Juneteenth proclamation/resolutions are addressed more timely and with plenty of community support.”
Karen Herrick kept it simple and celebratory:
“Reading loves Pride Month, and I’m thrilled the Select Board unanimously supported a proclamation for 2025.”
Chris Haley criticized local coverage:
“I explained the scenario at the start of the 5/27 Select Board Meeting. Unfortunately, your ‘reporting’ of it is wildly inaccurate…If you check the packet for next week, you will find the Juneteenth resolution is on the agenda…Virtual sessions allow for more opportunities to weigh in, not less. I accommodated all my fellow board members with a 7:30 night meeting event through my daughter’s band performance was in the middle of it and I left early because of it.”
Notably, Mr. Haley did not acknowledge the error or express a desire to improve the process next year. Instead, he dismissed concerns, excused the oversight, and appeared to fault staff for not reminding him of the resolution.
Vice Chair Melissa Murphy and Member Carlo Bacci did not respond to a request for comment.
Why this matters
Local leadership isn’t just procedural - it’s personal. In a national climate where LGBTQ+ rights are being actively rolled back, every missed opportunity to affirm visibility and belonging carries real weight.
Recent federal actions - such as the January 2025 Executive Orders “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” - are already impacting transgender and non-binary Americans. For instance, as a non-binary resident of Reading, I can no longer legally change my name from Tara to Taylor without losing the “X” gender marker on my U.S. passport. I am forced to choose between an accurate name or gender identity - something no one should have to decide.
Learn more about these executive actions and their impact.
Understanding Executive Orders & the LGBTQ+ Community (HRC).
When local leaders delay or minimize Pride resolution, it sends a message - intentional or not - that LGBTQ+ residents’ rights and recognition are negotiable. And that message is felt by every young student questioning their identity, every adult who fears coming out, and every elder who spent decades fighting for visibility.
Final thoughts
Some may argue that public interest is reflected by turnout. But civic engagement is not a popularity contest, and representation should not be conditional on packed rooms or loud applause.
Leadership means stepping up - especially when no one’s watching.
This year’s Pride Resolution may have passed, but the lack of timely action, poor communication, and the absence of accountability from some members reveals an uncomfortable truth: leadership on this issue is still inconsistent.
We need leaders who raise the flag - not just when reminded, not just when convenient, but because it’s right.
Image of the June 3, 2025 Select Board meeting from the RCTV Youtube page. Pictured in the top right corner (top to bottom): Board Chair Chris Haley, Town Manager Matt Kraunelis and Jackie LaVerde, Board members Karen Rose-Gillis, Karen Herrick, and Carlo Bacci.
