Last year, the Irvine City Council voted to annually raise the Pride flag from Harvey Milk Day on May 22 through the end of June. “Frankly, I’m embarrassed of Huntington Beach to even consider such an idea.” “I would like to beg the council to please focus and do the job you were elected to do, which is to oversee public safety, financial solvency and infrastructure for all citizens of Huntington Beach,” the commenter said. One commenter called the resolution divisive, political pandering and unnecessary. The majority of public commenters at Monday’s meeting supported the resolution with many arguing it’s important that members of the LGBTQ community feel represented and accepted by the city. “We could really do it and I think this kind of spirit is what could make the difference.” We can fill our hotels, we can fill our beaches and our restaurants,” Delgleize said. “We have an opportunity this summer to knock it out of the park in so many ways.
“It’s time we show our support to our fellow residents who don’t see themselves in City Council.”Ĭouncilwoman Barbara Delgleize said that creating an inclusive spirit can have economic benefits as the city hopes to financially recover from the pandemic. “This is a very positive thing and it’s not divisive, it’s not negative. Kalmick said that raising the Pride flag is Huntington Beach’s opportunity as one of the largest Orange County cities to show support for a regularly marginalized community. “If it just means having that flag there for about four weeks, what’s the harm in that?” That’s the freedom to be who you want to be with no shame, no discrimination and to be accepted,” Carr said. “When I talked about how the Pride flag represented unity and community, what it really meant as I was thinking about it was freedom. LGBTQ+ Flag to be Flown Annually at Huntington Beach City Hall During Pride Month Close