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Police arrested three protestors for disturbing the meeting, after the council voted to reject a proclamation passed by the mayor last month. The proclamation declared June as LGBT Pride month in the city.
Opponents say the mayor abused her power by passing the proclamation without the signatures of other city council members. But supporters say her decision promotes tolerance, and anti-discrimination.
Supporter Melisa Mcmurrey said, "Gay pride was not born out of a need to celebrate being gay, so instead of wondering why there wasn't a straight pride movement, be thankful that you don't need one."
"The Christians of this community believe that God's Holy Bible is true," said Opponent Trina Leon. "For us to accept this proclamation would be calling God's word, the holy bible a lie."
The council voted to cancel the proclamation and replace it with a resolution to call June "a month of community charity and goodwill to all in Porterville."
That decision caused an emotional uproar and the mayor walked out in tears. The council also voted in favor of changing the process of how proclamations are created within the city.
