HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-25 Public Comment - J. Ellwood - Re_ Public Comment –Pride FlagFrom:Jill Ellwood
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Re: Public Comment –Pride Flag
Date:Monday, July 7, 2025 10:04:39 AM
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Dear City Commisioners,
I was extremely saddened and disappointed to hear you all removed the Pride flag discussion
from this week's agenda. You all had the opportunity to make Bozeman a more inclusive andwelcoming place, and you decided not to. I hope you will reconsider in the future.
With gratitude,
Jill Ellwood
On Wed, Jul 2, 2025 at 12:26 PM Jill Ellwood <jill.ellwood89@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,
My name is Jill Ellwood. I have lived in Gallatin County since 2012 and have been inBozeman since 2014. My husband and I are homeowners on the south side of town. We
have three incredible children, and we are choosing to raise them here in Bozeman. I workfor a local nonprofit, One Valley Community Foundation, and my husband is a nurse at the
hospital.
One of the reasons we have chosen to raise our family in Bozeman is the community spiritwe feel in Bozeman. We want to live in and raise our family in a neighborly, caring,
supportive community. We are the type of neighbors who invite the neighborhood over forcookouts and shovel our neighbors' sidewalks. We love living in an area where we feel
kindness is typically met with more kindness.
While we are not part of the queer community, we are passionate allies because we want allfolks to feel accepted and loved when they are with us. Our town, and the world, are better
when people feel accepted and able to be themselves. Hate and bigotry will never createcaring communities the way that love and acceptance do. One of the primary ways we can
show our citizens and visitors that Bozeman is a welcoming place is by adopting the prideflag as an official city flag.
You, the City Commissioners, have an incredible opportunity to make a statement that
Bozeman is a place that centers community and inclusion. Bozeman is a place where folksdon't need to feel isolated. Bozeman cares about the mental health and well-being of its
citizens. Bozeman will stand by its values and not be intimidated by others tobecome complacent with discrimination.
Please adopt the Pride flag as an official city flag this week.
With gratitude,
Jill Ellwood