HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-25 Public Comment - K. Beach - Pride FlagFrom:Karen Beach
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Pride Flag
Date:Sunday, July 13, 2025 3:12:51 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
I am writing you today to urge you to reject using and flying the “pride” flag at city hall and
elsewhere.
The purpose of our city flag is to serve as a symbol of shared identity and civic unity. A cityflag should represent the entire community – its people, history, geography, and collective
values. It is meant to be a timeless, nonpartisan emblem that flies over city buildings, appearson official documents, and marks public property in a way that transcends political or cultural
trends.
This is why Bozeman must REJECT efforts to turn its city flag into a political symbol.Adopting identity-based flags, whether it’s the “pride” flag today or another movement’s
symbol tomorrow, undermines the very idea of civic neutrality.
For the same reasons that clapping, cheering, or booing are not allowed in commissionmeetings, the city flag must remain neutral, and no matter how hard supporters advocate, the
fact remains that the “pride” flag is a symbol that does not represent everyone, and rather thanpromoting inclusion, it counter-signals that some voices are more welcome than others, and it
does not make City Hall feel like a safe space where all viewpoints can be shared. Those whosupport it are choosing to knowingly provoke division, exposing the selective nature of their
so-called inclusivity. There is nothing brave in that kind of tactic.
Thank you for your consideration!
Karen Beach
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