HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-25 Public Comment - C. Steinocher - NO Pride Flag as the City of Bozeman FlagFrom:CECILIA STEINOCHER
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]NO Pride Flag as the City of Bozeman Flag
Date:Sunday, July 13, 2025 8:56:27 PM
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I oppose any Pride Flag being designated as the City of Bozeman flag. Adopting the Pride flag
as the City of Bozeman flag is bias, discriminatory, exclusionary and divisive. The Pride flag
was not created as a flag for cities; it symbolizes inclusion within the LGBTQ community. A
common theme among advocates of the Pride flag as a city flag proclaim that the flag makes
them feel safe, what about the safety of other citizens?
Participants in public parades are bullied, verbally intimidated on the routes by
bystanders, simply for displaying their political affiliation, at a parade intended for kids
and families!
A candidate won an elected seat in the Nov. 2024 election; they were doxed within a
week following the election. Bullied, harassed, intimidated at their own home for
winning an election in the City of Bozeman!
A public safety meeting hosted by an organization had to be rescheduled due to claims
from community members that it was an exclusionary event in a public space. The
location was moved and the event rescheduled. Both the Chief of Police and County
Sheriff confirmed at the event that they give public presentations unannounced to the
public at large for various groups on a regular basis.
At the end of May, a “non-partisan” town hall was held at the public fairgrounds. The
press reported it as an hour of “Trump bashing” and it was. During Q&A a brave voice
spoke in favor of beds designated for ICE at the detention center. The attendees
began bullying, verbally abusive, rising from their seats, one individually literally in the
face of the speaker. The sole security present escorted the lady out of harm’s way,
escorted for her own safety at a public event in a public space in Bozeman! You are
most likely aware of this incident, Deputy Mayor Joey Morrison was seated in the front
row on the panel, He. Never. Got. Out. Of. His. Seat.
Less than a month ago Mayor Cunningham was quoted in the BDC as saying “we need
to lower the temperature. We need to resist the temptations to fall into behaviors
that divide us, pull us apart and pit citizens against citizens.”
This proposal by an appointed commissioner is stoking political division in the community.
And yet here we are, the Bozeman City Commission is proposing to adopt a resolution
designating the city flag to represent one group of people, while excluding and
discriminating against the majority of citizens.
Thanks for the few minutes of your time,
Cecilia Steinocher
Bozeman Taxpayer