On May 14th Borough Council held it’s regular Council meeting. On the agenda was resolution 2914-10. The resolution is to authorize flying the pride flag at Borough Hall for the month of June. I offered the following comment for Council’s consideration:

 

Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

I would like to express my reservations regarding the Council’s proposed resolution to display the pride flag on Borough property. I acknowledge it is challenging for Council to diverge from the current narrative. However, I believe that delving into identity politics as a government entity actually is counterproductive to the goal of achieving inclusivity.

I had intended to voice what I think are the main concerns regarding Council’s proposal, which I will quickly summarize as:
• It’s contrary to the goal of working for the common good.
• It is beneath the dignity of elected office.
• When not treating all protected groups the same, it creates possible exposure to civil rights claims (ex. BLM lawyers could file a complaint about us using a version of the pride flag that doesn’t include POC).
• It sets a precedent that we have to endorse the next identity group that captures public attention. Allegedly some schools have installed litter boxes for kids that identify as cats. If that catches on will we have to do the same?
• Please be mindful that the LGBTQ community continues to evolve. That is why there are additional letters that make up the complete “LGBTQ” acronym; the intent being to continue expanding the orientations and gender identities that make up the community. There have been reports in the media, test marketing the possibility of adding Minor Attracted Adults as an orientation. It is not clear if this will happen but the idea has its’ supporters.

I would like to call your attention to a more pressing concern regarding use of the pride flag. I ask Council to pick up your phones and search “Queers for Palestine”, then select images: you will find thousands of examples of pride flags and rainbow banners on display at pro-Hamas rallies. I’ve actually seen the Palestinian flag superimposed over rainbow stripes.

We have to be concerned by extremist groups appropriating the pride flag in support of terrorism. This trend is reminiscent of the misuse of the traditional Buddhist symbol of peace which is now used internationally by hate groups. It may be tempting to ignore or downplay this evolution but videos confirm that this is occurring regularly nationwide and it is undoubtedly happening even as we speak tonight.

I attend enough Council meetings to know that Borough Council does not intend to appear pro-Hamas. However, how will the residents who don’t attend meetings interpret our displaying the pride flag given these recent developments? How many of the tens of thousands of cars that pass by Borough hall every day, when they see the pride flag flying, will wonder if West Conshy supports or approves of Hamas in someway? The best way to avoid creating this confusion is for Council to refrain from engaging in identity politics. In a melting pot nation it is essential to continue to strive toward the goal of “E Pluribus Unum”.

It’s not promoted by the media but there are municipalities that have rejected identity politics and chosen not to display the pride flag on government property. I’d like to quote the Mayor of The City of Hamtramck (located next to downtown Detroit) who eloquently summarized their unanimous city council vote (June 2023): “We serve everybody equally with no discrimination but without favoritism”. That should be the response of every government when it is asked to endorse a particular identity group. Please vote “Nay” to the proposed pride flag resolution.

On a related flag note Borough Council should review the flags flying at St. Gert’s Park, there are a couple of flags in serious need of a refresh.

The resolution passed 5 – 0.