HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-25 Public Comment - N. Gabriel - Public comment - pride flagFrom:Nick Gabriel
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:hello@queerbozeman.com
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public comment - pride flag
Date:Tuesday, July 8, 2025 6:55:16 AM
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Hello Council,
My name is Nick Garbiel, I have been a part of this community since 1999 through residencyand also as an entrepreneur. I’ve been around to see great changes in this community and to
be a part of its success. I’ve served on the DBA, helped many of the local non profits, andhave always been a strong supporter or what we do as a community here. I truly believe
Bozeman is a magnificent town, not just for it’s natural beauty, but for the amazing peoplepeople here and their spirit that makes Bozeman what it is.
As a young man I moved to Bozeman MT to discover who I was and what I was looking for in
life. Not only did I come to accept the fact that I was gay, but I also found a community thatwas genuinely welcoming and caring for all its members. I was extremely happy in 2021
when the city decided to fly the pride flag. I remember thinking that Bozeman has changed inso many ways, and many of them for the better. We have become a diverse community that is
welcoming of all types. With all that has been going on in the country and in the state, Ialways found comfort in the fact that I lived in a place that would uphold and protect my
identity, supporting all of us to be who we are.
I was very saddened when I saw the state pass a law forbidding cities to fly the pride flag. Tome, this is just one more step of a certain population trying to impose their beliefs on our
community as this was obviously aimed directly at the LGBTQ+ population. I was furthersaddened when I read that the city commission decided to take the possibility of adopting the
pride flag as an official city flag, off the agenda.
The pride flag represents many things but above all, for me, it represents a community statingthat it is ok to be who we are, and that all are welcome here. Queer, Gay, Tans, questioning,
people of different ethnicities and religions, and many more who see this will at least knowthat yes, the Bozeman community as a whole accepts them for just who they are and are safe
here. This absolutely has a mental affect on people’s mental well being. We all know that thesuicide rate of queer youth is disproportionately high for LGBTQ+ teens and it has been
proven that an accepting community can help reduce this.
The state has no right to tell this municipality what flags they can and can’t fly outside theirown buildings, as long as doing so does not infringe on the rights of others(which this
doesn’t). That is nothing more than government overreach. As a community, we decided thatthis was an appropriate action to take 4 years ago so I am a little confused as to what has
changed. Are we going to allow the state government to decide what is right for ourcommunity or are we going to send a message to them, one that says we will not turn a blind
eye to the LGBTQ+ community in a time when love and inclusivity are under attack?
As someone who is proud to be rooted in Bozeman, I ask you to please reconsider thediscussion of adopting the pride flag as a city flag. Give the community and its members an
opportunity to decide for themselves if they want the pride flag flown at their city hall, and notsome politician who may or may not share the same values of love and compassion decide for
us. I appreciate your time and consideration on the matter.
Sincerely,
Nick GarbielCEO/Proprietor
Steep Mountain Tea406.599.9993
Steep Mountain Tea