Dear Mayor Clark and Newcastle City Council Members,
I am writing to express my deep disappointment and concern regarding the recent decision not to raise the Pride flag at City Hall during Pride Month. As a resident of Newcastle and a member of the queer community, I am surprised and disheartened by the outcome of the council's meeting, especially given the overwhelming support I have received from fellow residents and friends within our community.
Mayor Clark's remarks on this issue reveal a troubling disregard for the experiences of marginalized communities. The assertion that the American flag is the "most unifying symbol in the history of the world" and that it "includes everybody in the community" is fundamentally flawed. For many minorities, including the indigenous population, Japanese Americans during World War II, and the entire queer community, the American flag has not always been a symbol of unity or inclusion. The struggles for essential human rights, the fight against discrimination, and the ongoing battle for equality and acceptance clearly demonstrate that the unity Mayor Clark speaks of is limited to cisgender, heterosexual white males.
Moreover, the reasoning that raising a flag for one cause would necessitate raising flags for every cause is a slippery slope fallacy. Equating the Pride flag—a symbol of love, acceptance, and human rights—with flags of organizations like Hamas or political figures like MAGA and former President Donald Trump is not only illogical but also offensive. The Pride flag represents the ongoing struggle for the rights and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community, a cause that deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated by our city.
Additionally, citing the Supreme Court's decision in Shurtleff v. City of Boston as a justification is a misapplication of legal precedent. The ruling in that case focused on the refusal to allow a religious flag, which is distinctly different from raising a flag that represents the inclusivity and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. The intent behind raising the Pride flag is to promote visibility and support for a historically marginalized group, not to endorse or favor a specific religion or political agenda.
The unity Mayor Clark claims to champion seems, in reality, to be an exclusionary vision that ignores the very real struggles and needs of minority communities. In a time when many American citizens with political power are actively fighting against the transgender community, basic female reproductive and medical rights, and a renewed wave of bigotry and violence against queer people, it is more important than ever for local leaders to stand up for inclusion and equality.
I urge you to reconsider this decision and to recognize the importance of visibly supporting all members of our community. Raising the Pride flag during Pride Month is a small but significant gesture that shows Newcastle is a city that values diversity, inclusion, and the rights of all its residents.
Sincerely,
A Newcastle Resident
