California City Bans Pride Flag Through a Sneaky Policy Change
The Voice of OC.“We, the City of Huntington Beach, are one community with many different cultures and people. All are equally valued members of our community, and none are to be treated differently or discriminated against,” Burns wrote in a memo explaining his proposal.
He added that the city “should avoid actions that could easily or mistakenly be perceived as divisive.The council voted 6-0 to fly the Pride flag during June 2021, following the lead of other Southern California cities.
But social conservatives lamented the decision, arguing that supporting LGBTQ rights takes a side on a social issue that runs counter to their religious or moral beliefs.Under the newly approved policy, only government flags would be allowed to fly over city hall — with the aforementioned exceptions for military flags — and any changes to that policy would require the council to pass an ordinance outlining those amendments.The proposal garnered much feedback, with over 275 people sending letters to the city to express their opinion.According to city staff, at least 228 letters supported keeping the current policy of allowing the Pride flag to remain in place, while 46 urged the city to adopt the new restrictions.Similarly, the overwhelming majority of public commenters who attended the city council meeting on Tuesday night expressed support for the Pride flag, rejecting arguments that it offends people who disagree with LGBTQ rights or excludes the straight community.“So you want to avoid actions that could be perceived as divisive?
I don’t think that’s going too well for you this evening,” public commenter Margaret Robinson told the council, even as she correctly predicted that the Republican majority would do whatever it wants,.
