HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-25 Public Comment - E. Shahabi - Public Comment- Pride FlagFrom:Emma Shahabi
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment- Pride Flag
Date:Tuesday, July 8, 2025 7:50:09 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good morning,
My name is Emma Shahabi, I work for an environmental non-profit and am very new to
Bozeman. I moved here this month for my job and have only visited a few times prior. I'vealready met so many amazing people in this city and have felt incredibly welcomed.
However, that feeling is certainly not a given, especially in a state where unfortunately there is
a large portion of the population who hates me without even knowing me. I'm 27 years old,queer, Iranian, and I wear my identities on my sleeve (quite literally with my tattoos). I've
lived in places before where I wasn't welcome in all spaces and I suspect that parts of Montanawill be similar.
However, I've been told that Bozeman is different. That Bozeman welcomes their neighbors
and stands up for those who are shut out otherwise. I was wary about moving to Bozeman,there are no Persian restaurants here, and barely any Middle Eastern presence at all. As far as I
know, there's no official queer bar in town. I knew I would be in the minority here. But Imoved here because I know that Bozeman is a beautiful city with such incredible nature and
people and I had been told that despite the dangers in other areas of Montana, Bozeman is aplace where I would be welcome and safe.
Flying the pride flag to show queer people that we have the right to exist and the right to love
just the same as anyone else, is the bare minimum. To be concise, I would not feel safe orwelcome in a city that refuses to fly that flag.
I hope that the commission stands up for the queer people of Bozeman and those, queer or not,
that want to live in a city where all are welcome. I urge the commission to approve the prideflag as an official city flag.
Thank you for your time,
Emma Shahabi