HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-25 Public Comment - M. Routhier - Public Comment - City FlagFrom:Mary Routhier
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment - City Flag
Date:Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:40:12 AM
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> To the City Commissioners,
> We were informed about a recent request by City Commissioner Emma Bode, for the City to adopt the PRIDE
flag as the official city flag of Bozeman. We unequivocally do not support this initiative. It is inappropriate for the
city to remove the existing flag that has represented the city since 1967, with the PRIDE flag, especially when the
PRIDE flag does not represent the entire community of Bozeman. Based on census data, less than 5% of the
Bozeman citizenship associate themselves within the LQBTQ+ community. Furthermore, there is an apparent
conflict of interest when city commissioners advocate for their personal beliefs. The City Commission as a whole,
cannot let commissioners use their positions of power to advance their personal ideologies. We do not support the
City Commission considering this initiative as an agenda item, as the PRIDE flag does not represent our personal
beliefs and values, nor does it represent 95% of Bozeman citizenship. Not only is the PRIDE flag offensive and
divisive for many, it will not unify the citizens, nor does it comply with the intent and spirit of the new law signed in
May 2025 from House Bill 819. Furthermore, given the many challenges facing the city commissioner, this
initiative should not be brought to a formal vote by the commission, as clearly the commission has many other
challenges that are higher priority.
>
> If the commissioners want to know the pulse of the community, we urge you to consider including an initiative as
such, on a formal ballot and give ALL the citizens of Bozeman an opportunity to vote on this initiative.
>
> Respectfully submitted,
> Paul & Mary Routhier
> 2486 Arabian Avenue
> Bozeman MT