HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-25 Public Comment - R. Petroff - Opposition to the City of Bozeman Commission’s Adoption of the Pride FlagFrom:Riley Petroff
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Opposition to the City of Bozeman Commission’s Adoption of the Pride Flag
Date:Tuesday, July 15, 2025 3:44:46 AM
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To the Bozeman City Commission,
I am writing to express my opposition to the Commission’s decision to
adopt the pride flag as an official city flag.
Bozeman is home to citizens with a broad range of political and personal
beliefs. Displaying a pride flag on government property goes beyond
simple decoration—it conveys official alignment with an identity‑based
political movement. This risks alienating residents who expect their local
government to remain neutral and represent all citizens equally, regardless
of ideology or affiliation.
Many of us simply want to live our lives in peace without constant
reminders of national or cultural conflicts. By flying a flag tied to a specific
movement, the City unintentionally creates a sense of exclusion for those
who do not support or identify with that movement.
A city’s symbols should unify its people, not divide them. I respectfully ask
the Commission to reconsider this decision and maintain a standard of
neutrality that represents all citizens of Bozeman.
Sincerely,
Riley Petroff
Bozeman Resident