A standing-room-only crowd, including children, cheered and applauded when City Councilor Dan Gookin finished reading a proclamation declaring Mother's Day, May 11, to Father's Day, June 15, as Traditional Families Values Month in Coeur d’Alene. 

“My footsteps are lighter now because of what you did,” said Ross Osborn of Spirit Lake on Tuesday.

"Make this happen every year,” said Bill Green during public comment at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room with about 125 people looking on.

Stefanie Fetzer, a volunteer with TradFam.org, thanked the city, legislators and others who supported the proclamation signed by Mayor Woody McEvers.  

“Finally, and most important, I want to thank God, the original architect of the traditional family,” she said. 

The proclamation reads, in part, “Traditional families, consisting of a natural mother and father, children, and extended family, have been a cornerstone of society, fostering security, stability, and values of citizenship." 

It also quotes the International Federation for Family Development: "Children in healthy, married, two-parent families are more likely to lead happy, successful lives. ... Families are the most powerful, humane, and economical system for building competence and character.” 

The Idaho Legislature recently passed a resolution declaring a Traditional Family Values Month “to bring awareness to Traditional Families and the challenges they face.” 

Fetzer said traditional families are a cornerstone of America. 

“It's time to celebrate, honor and lift up the traditional family the way God intended,” she said. 

Former city attorney Mike Gridley challenged the proclamation during public comment.   

He said he has known, worked and competed with good people of different races and sexual orientation who haven’t hurt anyone, and they have the freedom to make lifestyle choices.

“That’s one of the good things about this community of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. You allow people to be free," Gridley said. "I think that’s what America’s about, to be free, as long as you’re not hurting anybody else and you love one another.” 

According to the proclamation, traditional families have declined significantly, with 17.8% of Americans living in nuclear families today, compared to 77.5% of children living with married parents in 1960, while single-person households rose from 13% in 1960 to 28% in 2018, divorce rates increased from 27% in 1950 to 45% today. It said births to unmarried women rose from 5% in 1960 to 40% now. 

The proclamation went on to state that “children in single-parent households face higher risks, with 63% of youth suicides, 90% of homeless/runaway children, 85% of behavior disorders, and 85% of youths in prisons coming from fatherless homes, while children in stable, two-parent homes have an 80% chance of escaping poverty compared to 50% for those with single mothers.” 

Cathy Mickels, during public comment, said she lived in the Seattle area before moving to Coeur d’Alene a few years ago. She said she witnessed the unraveling of Washington state as it failed to support traditional families. 

“If one is paying attention, one can connect the dots,” she said. 

Fetzer said the proclamation wasn’t meant to harm those who are not living in traditional families.

“This is a positive standard that our community should be holding up as the gold standard for the success of our society,” she said. 

Fetzer said some may be troubled by information in the proclamation. 

“But facts are stubborn things," she said. "The facts show irrefutably that traditional family values lead to better outcomes for our children.” 

Councilor Christie Wood thanked Fetzer for her empathy, “and your words when you said it’s not meant to harm others, not living in traditional families. I thought that was very kind.” 

Councilor Dan Gookin also thanked Fetzer for her work to get the proclamation before the City Council. 

He said oftentimes, people become frustrated with government and say it doesn’t listen or care. He said he appreciated her efforts.

“All you’ve got to do is ask,” Gookin said.