It was nearly a year ago that we editorialized in favor of raising a more inclusive Pride on the giant flagpole at Castro and Market streets.
The proposal landed with a thud. The Castro Merchants Association, which oversees the flag and flagpole, however, did write in a guest opinion that we published saying it would "support any community effort to erect an additional flagpole or some other installation in a significant location in the neighborhood to fly flags that symbolize the diversity of our LGBTQ+ residents and visitors, and would use any influence we have with the city to push this through." The main sticking point is that the flagpole and flag, made by the late Gilbert Baker, are legally recognized by the city as a work of art.