HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-25 Public Comment - T. De Young - Opposition to Adopting Pride Flag as Official City FlagFrom:Tyler DeYoung
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Opposition to Adopting Pride Flag as Official City Flag
Date:Monday, July 14, 2025 6:48:25 PM
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Commissioners,
I strongly urge you to vote against the proposal to designate the Pride flag as an
official city flag on July 15. What’s being disguised as a legal workaround through
House Bill 819 is actually a political maneuver that undermines government neutrality
and democratic clarity.
1. This is a clear political workaround, not principled legislation- HB 819, signed by
Gov. Gianforte on May 13, 2025, prohibits public buildings from flying flags that
represent race, gender, sexual orientation, political ideology, etc., but allows only
official government flags — such as municipal flags — to be displayed. Cities like
Missoula and Butte quickly declared the Pride flag as an “official flag” to sidestep the
law. That’s not lawmaking—it’s political theater meant to bypass voters andlegislators, while politicizing city hall.
2. The city flag should represent all residents, this does not- Your duty is to uphold
civic neutrality. The U.S. and Montana flags symbolize all citizens. The Pride flag,
however, represents a specific demographic. A Bozeman resident summed it up
well: “The pride flag does not symbolize shared community values… it represents aspecific political ideology.” Designating it “official” fractures collective identity and
aligns the city with a particular agenda—something this law was supposed to prevent.
3. This vote deepens divisions, distracts from real issues- Public comment in
Bozeman has already been sharply divided . Elevating this symbol as a city banner
will amplify polarization just when focus should be on infrastructure, housing, andpublic safety. Missoula’s council, swayed by theatrics, now faces public backlash
from its governor and constituents. Don’t repeat their mistake.
4. Resisting legal herding doesn’t equate to bigotry- Opposing this resolution isn’t arejection of LGBTQ individuals. It’s a stance against using government authority to
promote one group’s perspective. Civic symbols require broad consensus—not
cursory votes making ideological statements.
The “official flag” loophole is precisely that: a loophole. What’s legal isn’t necessarily
wise or legitimate. Bozeman’s flag should unify—not divide. Vote no on this
resolution. Don’t politicize our flag or sidestep the democratic process.
Respectfully,
Tyler De Young
216 Balsam Drive, Bozeman, MT 59718
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