After a 6-5 vote by its town council earlier this week, Enfield, Connecticut has a new policy that prohibits any flag except that of the US, the state and POW/MIA from flying on town property. The move was motivated, according to outraged residents, by those who want to keep the rainbow flag from flying over town hall during Pride month.
Reports Fox TV-61:
“They just don’t want anything to do with gay pride,” said Councilor at Large Cindy Mangini.
Councilperson of 23 years, Mangini feels this new measure is targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
“To dismiss people’s feelings and beliefs is wrong,” she said.
“I thought we had a good fight in it,” said Brandon Jewell, chapter lead of queer advocacy group PFLAG Enfield. “Unfortunately, we were let down.”
This new flag policy repeals previous resolutions, like the 2022 measure to display the rainbow flag at Enfield Town Hall for Pride Month in June.
“There’s so much damage that has been done by this [vote] that I don’t think my Republican counterparts are truly aware of how hurtful this was,” Mangini said.
Those opposed to the policy said even though this feels like a direct hit against the LGBTQ community, they’re concerned about what else this measure might mean.
“There is no clear direction,” explained Jewell. “There is no direction whether you’re on town property, or you’re inside of the building.”
Jewell and Mangini worry about other flags and displays like ones for holidays such as Juneteenth, or supporting other countries like Ukraine.
Enfield LGBTQ+ groups are now encouraging people to display Pride flags on their personal property and said they’re planning a rally during the next town council meeting on January 22.
Read the complete Fox-61 story here.
More: enfieldpride.org
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