Downey, Calif., bans Pride flag on city property; L.A. County, state officials clap back

jeffw@lemmy.worldmod to News@lemmy.world – 112 points –
Downey, Calif., bans Pride flag on city property; L.A. County, state officials clap back
advocate.com
19

Let this be a reminder that there are closed-minded conservative bigots with enough people to vote them into office even in the bluest cities.

I’ve never heard of Downey, California. Is it a blue city?

I honestly don't know it well enough to say. I never really got out that way when I lived in L.A., but there are enough evangelicals in L.A. (they have made huge inroads in the Latino community) that this does not surprise me one little bit.

Hard to say. It has this somewhat retro vibe to the place, full of giant million dollar houses and even some older establishments like Big Boy's Burgers. I figure it's full of old boomers who would probably endorse something like that.

1 more...
1 more...

Did they only ban the pride flag or all flags that are not government related?

Believe it or not, the article answers that question

So it is all flags that are not government related.

It is not. They made a specific carve out for the POW/MIA flag, which betrays the true intent of this.

Is the military not a part of the government?

That's not an official military flag. It belongs to a nonprofit organization that claims to represent the families of Vietnam POWs that may or may not actually exist.

The point isn’t always “how is the law worded?” But “why is this law being implemented?”

Don’t believe their propaganda

What does intent matter if there is equal access and representation?

What does intent matter if there is equal access and representation?

to allow only the U.S. flag, state flag, city flag, and the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag to be flown on city property

So what's the problem? I'm a liberal gun owner. Can I fly my snowflake flag or my defend equality flag? Someone will completely miss the point and say, "But my flag is different!" Which is why:

Only US, state and city flags on government property.

Yes, the point of the ban is to shutout LGBT voices. I get that and I'm still OK with the end result, even if the origin is foul.

(I'd even be down with removing the POW flag.)

It wasn’t an issue until hate groups made it one. They want to take the little victories away from us, and you are OK with the end result. Shame on you.

It sounds like you misunderstand the situation. The city banned flying any flag not approved on city-owned property; like police stations, city hall, etc. This is not a ban for the residents. The distinction is important, because it only serves to disenfranchise certain voters. And about that: how could you call yourself liberal if you’re okay with disenfranchisement of any kind? You might as well call yourself libertarian.

If that's the intent, why is the POW/MIA flag given an exception? That's not a US, state, or city flag.

It's pretty clear what the intent is of this.