Residents in California’s conservative Huntington Beach passed a measure to limit the display of non-government flags on city property, sparking criticism from LGBTQ supporters. Measure B, created by Pat Burns, a member of the Huntington Beach City Council, was approved with over half of the city’s votes, as reported on the county’s registrar website.
The measure voted on during Super Tuesday will ban breast cancer awareness, Pride, Confederate, and all other non-U.S flags from being displayed on city property. Burns explained to Fox News Digital in an interview that the measure was intended to promote unity under a shared American identity, not to discriminate against any specific group. According to Burns, the majority of the criticism he has faced has come from LGBTQ advocates.
On Friday, Burns expressed his opposition to identity politics, stating that he finds it to be divisive. “I find it disrespectful that flag, which I believe is very offensive to LGBTQ.” They support it, but I find it demeaning that they require special recognition to feel included in our community. Everyone is equal, and such matters can be divisive.
The city has displayed the rainbow flag during Pride month for the past two years, according to Burns. He mentioned that it had not been a significant aspect of the city’s appearance before the regulation was implemented.
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The new measure allows only specific flags to be displayed on city property, including the U.S. flag, the State of California flag, the County of Orange flag, the City of Huntington Beach flag, the POW-MIA flag, the six Armed Forces flags, and the Olympic flag during the Summer Olympic Games.
“I appreciate a variety of viewpoints.” I love checks and balances. That’s why we are so exceptional – we can embrace diverse perspectives in society. However, I believe it’s not appropriate for a city government to engage in identity politics,” Burns expressed.
Community organizations strongly opposed the passing of the measure. In a statement to the media, Peg Coley, the executive director of the LGBTQ Center Orange County, expressed concerns about the actions of the Huntington Beach City Council, accusing them of promoting intolerance towards minority communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals.
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