Montana HB819 was intended to ban Pride flags from flying on city property, but had an exception for "official flags." So Missoula made the Pride flag an official flag.
This is good news and almost begs the question, which is worse, the cruelty of the Republicans and MAGA movement, or their sheer incompetence? (I say "almost" because clearly conservatives' cruelty is beyond the pale.)
Same question for the federal government today in general. While the court battles are favoring us (and democracy in general) right now (very few tests at SCOTUS level yet, to be sure), our best hope may be their implosion due to infighting and incompetence. It seems like a tenuous thread to hold onto, but it's what we have.
The pride flag is not "politicizing public property" because the pride flag is not political. It's people like Braxton Mitchell who try to politicize it.
My eyes practically roll out of my head when I see hateful right-wing people talking about “politicizing” public property, public discourse, the judicial system, etc., by lifting up points of view they don’t agree with. “Taxpayer owned property should represent everyone, not just the loudest political movements of the moment. The pride flag, like any other political symbol, has no place replacing a city’s identity” — as if the Confederate flag were anything other than a political symbol and the far right were anything other than the loudest political movement of the moment.
Okay, dude, we get it. It’s only bad when *other* people do it. Don’t forget to get your white hood dry cleaned, mmkay?
"Nothing says ‘unity’ like politicizing public property. ... Taxpayer owned property should represent everyone, not just the loudest political movements of the moment."
Here’s the contact info for Representative Braxton Mitchell, the bigot quoted in the article as saying, among other things, that “[t]he pride flag, like any other political symbol, has no place replacing a city’s identity” 😡:
Zooey Zephyr....Always brings a smile to see Representative Zooey Zephyr as an activist for community. Even better knowing she is married to our very own group hero Erin. What amazing women!
In my view, Missoula not only established the Pride flag as an official symbol but also simultaneously affirmed authenticity and love as official values. We love celebrating these aspects of being human all year long. Sending lots of love to Erin, Zooey, and all our readership from London, Ontario, Canada. oxo
Each time an article mentions Zooey Zephyr, I get a little hit of happy anticipation for this line at the end:
"Disclosure: Representative Zooey Zephyr is happily married to the writer of this article."
Its my favorite line to write in these.
This is good news and almost begs the question, which is worse, the cruelty of the Republicans and MAGA movement, or their sheer incompetence? (I say "almost" because clearly conservatives' cruelty is beyond the pale.)
Same question for the federal government today in general. While the court battles are favoring us (and democracy in general) right now (very few tests at SCOTUS level yet, to be sure), our best hope may be their implosion due to infighting and incompetence. It seems like a tenuous thread to hold onto, but it's what we have.
https://jaynasheats.substack.com/p/its-past-midnight-what-should-transgender
These little pockets of resistance in red states gives me more hope than you can imagine.
The pride flag is not "politicizing public property" because the pride flag is not political. It's people like Braxton Mitchell who try to politicize it.
I love this form of malicious compliance. 😈
My eyes practically roll out of my head when I see hateful right-wing people talking about “politicizing” public property, public discourse, the judicial system, etc., by lifting up points of view they don’t agree with. “Taxpayer owned property should represent everyone, not just the loudest political movements of the moment. The pride flag, like any other political symbol, has no place replacing a city’s identity” — as if the Confederate flag were anything other than a political symbol and the far right were anything other than the loudest political movement of the moment.
Okay, dude, we get it. It’s only bad when *other* people do it. Don’t forget to get your white hood dry cleaned, mmkay?
The Pride flag 🏳️🌈 is much more than a political statement, it represents love 💕 and respect for our ALL families and friends.
Rock on, Missoula. Every display of resistance matters. Especially from allies.
—❤️ and 🏳️🌈 from an ally.
"Nothing says ‘unity’ like politicizing public property. ... Taxpayer owned property should represent everyone, not just the loudest political movements of the moment."
Every accusation is a confession.
Here’s the contact info for Representative Braxton Mitchell, the bigot quoted in the article as saying, among other things, that “[t]he pride flag, like any other political symbol, has no place replacing a city’s identity” 😡:
https://archive.legmt.gov/legislator-information/roster/individual/7760
We can write to him to let him know how very wrong he is!!
Nice to see some good news. It’s a sign of the times, but an inbox article on Substack often brings a wave of anticipatory dread these days.
Way to go, Missoula!! 🏳️🌈
Love how they really stuck it to those bigots and found a way to turn that repressive law on its head 💁🏽♀️🙃😜
"can't stop the signal, Mal. everything goes somewhere, and i go everywhere"
Thanks for this good news!!
Zooey Zephyr....Always brings a smile to see Representative Zooey Zephyr as an activist for community. Even better knowing she is married to our very own group hero Erin. What amazing women!
oopsie ...I may have posted this twice.
In my view, Missoula not only established the Pride flag as an official symbol but also simultaneously affirmed authenticity and love as official values. We love celebrating these aspects of being human all year long. Sending lots of love to Erin, Zooey, and all our readership from London, Ontario, Canada. oxo