Rowan County has had a soul-searching week. County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to appeal a federal court decision regarding government meeting prayers. And Salisbury Mayor Paul Woodson announced Tuesday he will not sign a proclamation for Pride Week, which celebrates those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Outsiders could get the impression Rowan is not an inclusive community. Official actions don’t tell the whole story, though.

Despite the lack of a proclamation, LGBT activists have a week of Pride activities planned in Salisbury June 14-20, culminating in an annual Pride Festival. Since the first Pride Festival in 2011, the event’s popularity has grown as its controversy has faded.

And though commissioners are appealing to the highest court in the land to defend their freedom to pray as they want in public meeting invocations — invoking the name of Jesus —  you will find efforts to show respect for all faiths and ethnicities in Salisbury-Rowan. The Covenant Community Connection demonstrates that with each Peace Pole and Mayor’s Spirit Luncheon.

These efforts are minute compared to the might of the majority. About 96.6 percent of Americans identify themselves as heterosexual, according to a 2013 National Health Interview Survey. When it comes to religion, 77 percent of North Carolinians say they are Christian. The next largest group is the 20 percent who claim no religion, the “nones.” The remaining 2-3 percent identify with other faiths (Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.).

The subtext on these issues is this: In a nation that is majority Christian and majority heterosexual, at what point do elected officials stand up for the minority? It should be possible to represent the majority and take the lead in showing consideration and respect for the minority. Unfortunately, in today’s political atmosphere, that is viewed as being weak.

Observers outside Rowan won’t read the statements in which commissioners said they would stand up for people of any faith. They won’t get to the mayor’s explanation that proclamations are supposed to be uncontroversial. Most people will skim the surface and see Rowan commissioners waging a religious battle and Salisbury’s mayor shunning the LGBT community. While those stands may be popular at the local polls, they flash a caution signal to the world at large. 

So it’s up to people outside politics to project an open, tolerant and accepting image for our county. By word and deed, we can show respect for all, whether they go to church or synagogue or nowhere, whether they are gay or straight or something else. The moments that define Rowan County don’t happen only in the political limelight; those moments take place in businesses and galleries, colleges and co-ops, agencies and other institutions. Political stands are symbolic; everyday actions are real.