HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-25 Public Comment - H. Oakland - Pride flag public commentFrom:Hayley Oakland
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Pride flag public comment
Date:Friday, July 11, 2025 3:50:34 PM
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Hello,
My name is Hayley Oakland, and I am a Bozeman resident. I work for Montana State
University, and I am a queer woman.
I have participated in the local, growing queer community events since moving here in 2020. Ihave been heartened by the growth in the activity of the queer community, particularly as state
and national politics have targeted queer people and our ability to be ourselves in the past fewyears.
In rural areas of Montana, I have been both embraced, and, unfortunately, met with bigoted,
hateful language for the ways in which I am visibly queer. The adoption of the pride/diversityflag by the City of Bozeman would be a beautiful way to not only support the local
community, but also to show people traveling through that this is a safe place to stay and beyourself.
This is not a political issue. This is not a "left" or "right" issue. This is a human issue. Does
our community value human rights? Does our community value liberty and freedom? Thepride/diversity flag shows that Bozeman is committed to supporting not just the queer
community, but supporting community in general.
Please approve the adoption of the pride flag in Bozeman.
Thank you for your consideration!Hayley Oakland