![first gay pride parade in utah first gay pride parade in utah](https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/global/visa-everywhere/images/utah-pride-1140x641.jpg)
She said she understands that Pride of Southern Utah paid a fee for the banners to go up, but the poles themselves are still city property.Ĭouncilman Jimmie Hughes said the policy should be looked at to make sure that the banners are being used in a way that's appropriate to the entire community. “I just thought city-sponsored flags would be good since the city owns those poles," she said. "When tax dollars are involved, when the city is paying for it, then city activities should be the ones that are put up." She also acknowledged leaving a comment on Randall's Facebook post that said, "City sponsored banners only - problem solved," though she said she's removed the comment. A healthy discussion?Ĭouncilwoman Bette Arial said she needs to look at what the current policy is, but she thought that groups used to be required to have city council approval before hanging banners. Some express support and admiration for Pike and the LGBTQ community, while others say the banners are political and don't reflect what the community believes. The post had 1,500 comments as of late Thursday. But I hope we can agree on one thing: People are awesome!" as a celebration of all people and of acceptance, inclusion and love. "But I view these banners and the rainbow flags. "I realize we’re not all in the same place or of the same opinion on these or many other issues," he wrote. George pride week kicking off with flags, faith and a little controversy George regarding Pride of Southern Utah's banners. In a post on his personal Facebook page, Pike also expressed his support for Pride Week and for the discussion happening in St. Pike clarified that though he doesn't believe Pride of Southern Utah is promoting hate in any way, "it’s worthwhile to make sure that in the future, we don’t have unintended consequences in terms of what kinds of events are being promoted on city property.” He also said he doesn't want hate groups to be able to hang banners simply because the city ordinance doesn't stop them from doing so. Mayor Jon Pike said the banner policy "ought to be looked at" because it likely predates anyone currently serving on the council and his 12 years of public service. Randall declined to comment for this story, referring to her Facebook post as her official comment. "I want to see our policy changed, not because of the Pride banners but for any and all future banners that cause the community to spew hatred, divisiveness and discontent." I don’t feel the banners are sending that message," she wrote. "I want everyone to feel safe and accepted in our community. Randall also wrote that she doesn't want to see "straight pride" banners, "Trump Pride" banners or "any banners for any special interest or political group" hanging from city poles. MORE: LGBTQ pride flags spur debate in small Utah town George is an inclusive city, "but all they need to do is get on social media and quickly find hatred and division." She continued that some see the Pride of Southern Utah Banners and believe St. I believe everyone has a right to feel love and be accepted." "I have members of my family that are gay, transgender, alcoholics, addicts, atheists, divorced, been in abusive relationships, etc. I am not homophobic. "I think of myself as pretty open minded," she wrote. Senate candidate Larry Meyers, received about 300 comments on the post, which prompted Randall to post her own response on her Facebook page. The attorney, local conservative activist and former U.S.
![first gay pride parade in utah first gay pride parade in utah](https://affirmation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Jesus-said-love-one-another-.jpg)
In the email, which Randall later said was shared without her knowledge, she said she was unhappy with the banners and that "We, as a city council, need to look at our (banner) ordinance and see what can be done to prevent political statements from being made in the future.”
![first gay pride parade in utah first gay pride parade in utah](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/06/24/us/24pridelede1/merlin_139373847_a2a67b9a-df16-4040-9ee2-746138569907-articleLarge.jpg)
A Facebook postĪn email from Councilwoman Michele Randall to a local attorney was shared on social media in the days after the flags went up. Now, interviews with city officials suggest unanimous interest in pursuing an ordinance that could limit the types of signage hung from city-owned property. The banners, attached to city light posts ahead of Saturday's Pride of Southern Utah festival, have driven a week of sometimes nasty social media exchanges between residents in the socially conservative Utah city.ĭebates have raged online for more than a week over everything from the history of the LGBTQ movement to the meaning of the rainbow flag to whether the flags could fall under First Amendment protections.
FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE IN UTAH CODE
George Blvd., city officials say they want to reevaluate the legal code that allowed for them to go up.
![first gay pride parade in utah first gay pride parade in utah](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/2014/06/27/NABH/ghows-GA-07159185-42bc-4245-9be7-471556fc6307-c2ec077d.jpeg)
In response to criticism from some residents over the hanging of rainbow-painted Pride flag banners along St.