In recent years, we have seen great achievements in society, and under the law for LGBTQ+ equality. That change is worth celebrating, and also protecting.
We are two La Mesans, one city council member, and another an elementary school principal. We both feel an obligation to support our colleagues and neighbors who identify as LGBTQ+, and to contribute to a community of inclusion.
On June 14, the City Council of La Mesa voted to proclaim June Pride Month, not just in 2022, but every year going forward. Our Council’s decision brings La Mesa in line with many other jurisdictions in California who are choosing to declare themselves open and inclusive to all.
La Mesa’s decision is a part of a broader national trend toward acceptance for LGBTQ+ people.
For example, public opinion shows overwhelming support for marriage equality, including a small but clear majority support from registered Republicans. This progress should be celebrated, but not taken for granted.
Unfortunately, we are beginning to see backsliding.
The Texas GOP recently excluded the Log Cabin Republicans from their convention. Pride events are receiving a new surge in threats. State legislatures are threatening the wellbeing and livelihoods of public employees with dangerous “don’t say gay” laws.
Even in La Mesa, there were opponents to declaring Pride Month this year, even while no such opposition was visible when the Pride flag was first raised in 2020.
Commenters on social media and at our recent Council meeting framed their opposition in terms of equality or practicality. If we flew the Pride flag, what other flags would we have to raise? Indeed, we already have a policy that the Council votes on what flags to raise.
Those arguments are pretext.
You do not have to look far to find the real reasons for opposition.
One public commenter explained that he opposed the Pride flag because he felt it was divisive. In the same breath, he said he did not think we should use the term “LGBTQ+,” but instead used a slur that we will not write here. Flying a flag to celebrate inclusion is not divisive. Using slurs are.
The updated Pride flag is inclusive of our entire community and yet is a very visible sign to our neighbors that we are a welcoming and diverse city.
The flag symbolizes hope and equality for members of the community that have felt previously marginalized. In short, this declaration of Pride demonstrates our city’s commitment to be inclusive and allows us as a city to embrace the diversity of the members that make up our community.
Celebrating Pride Month is certainly about helping our LGBTQ+ neighbors feel welcomed and safe.
It is also about the whole of La Mesa reaffirming our values of inclusion for everyone.
Editor’s note: This article was co-authored by Colin Parent and John Greenwell. Parent is a La Mesa resident and a La Mesa City council member. Greenwell is a La Mesa resident and the principal at the Ella B. Allen Elementary School in Chula Vista.
Photo credit: Pixabay.com.
