There is controversy in Salisbury over whether the mayor should issue a proclamation declaring June 20 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Day.

At the May 19 City Council meeting, members and supporters of Salisbury Pride, a group dedicated to celebrating the LGBT community, urged Mayor Paul Woodson to issue the proclamation — something he has chosen not to do the previous three years. Salisbury Pride will have its 5th annual Salisbury Pride Festival June 14 – 20.

In 2011, former mayor Susan Kluttz issused the proclamation — then lost the mayor’s seat to Woodson by a narrow margin later that year. Woodson said he has not issued the proclamation because it doesn’t meet the city’s guidelines for mayoral proclamations, which states proclamations regarding matters of controversy, taking sides in political debate or addressing personal conviction will not be issued.

Woodson said since the Salisbury Pride members spoke out at the council meeting, he has received hundreds of phone calls and emails from people with strong beliefs on both sides of the issue.

It’s the most controversial issue in his 18 years on City Council, Woodson said. He said Friday he still hasn’t come to a decision on the matter and is working with other council members to try and find a solution.

But what people — even the ones who have a problem with the LGBT community — should be happy about is the fact that a whole lot of people will be visiting Salisbury for a week and spending their money here. Mayor Woodson made this exact point.

In recent years, thousands of people have come to Salisbury for the festival. Hotel rooms will be booked, restaurants will be filled, stores will be busy. All one has to do is simply look at the event schedule for this year’s festival and it’s easy to see the businesses that will be directly benefiting.

There will be a brunch at Sweet Meadow Cafe, bowling at Woodleaf Lanes and drinks at Literary Bookpost. Bike riders will meet at Skinny Wheels Bike Shop before taking a ride around town. The Norvell Theatre will be packed one night for a show. And the new Firehouse Brew Pit on Lee Street will host a drag show.

The final day of the festival will be in downtown Salisbury and is scheduled to last the whole day.

Whether Woodson decides to issue the proclamation is not of great consequence. But it is discouraging that a large portion of the community has a problem with celebrating a group of people who have suffered injustices simply because they are different.

But one thing is certain, money will be spent during Salisbury Pride Week. And everyone in the community will benefit from it.