PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A decision by Presque Isle city officials not to fly the pride flag this year has prompted public opposition.
Several residents shared their disapproval during the Presque Isle City Council’s meeting Wednesday. The issue was not part of the meeting’s agenda.
Last year, the city joined other Maine municipalities in supporting pride efforts by raising the inclusive rainbow flag at City Hall and proclaiming June LGBTQ+ Pride month. The acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, and other ways people identify themselves.
Pride Aroostook representatives met with City Manager Tyler Brown last week to request the flag be flown again this year, according to a press release issued late yesterday by Kim Smith, Presque Isle’s resource development and public information officer. The city formally decided not to fly the flag and is crafting an ordinance to address flags in general, Smith said.
Pride supporters said the flag makes the city appear welcoming, and refusing to fly it could deter residents and businesses.
“The decision is not one taken lightly, but one that recognizes that all individuals, groups and organizations should have equal representation on city property,” Smith said in the release. “The message the city wants amplified is that Presque Isle is a place and space for all people to feel welcome, wanted and included.”
Brown encouraged members of Pride Aroostook to attend the council meeting and share their concerns, according to the statement, which was issued at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday. The meeting started at 6 p.m.
The topic was not addressed on the agenda, but several residents spoke during the public comment period.
Pride Aroostook was proud of the city for its actions last year, which reflected other Maine communities’ recognition of Pride Month, said board member Heather Mazorow. Research has shown inclusion of LGBTQ+ people promotes economic development, she said.
When a business recruited her to move to Presque Isle, Mazorow said her first question wasn’t about pay, but whether the city was safe. Others have written to Pride Aroostook with the same question, she said.
“The city of Presque Isle proclaims itself the hub of Aroostook with good reason, both due to its growing economy and population,” she said. “By not approving the pride flag this year, when you approved it last year, what does that show?”
Pride Aroostook’s June Pride Festival draws a huge turnout to the city, said resident and attorney Jeff Ashby. This year’s festival is slated Saturday, June 16, in Presque Isle. Ashby urged the city to adopt an ordinance addressing when to fly flags over City Hall.
“I know none of you are bigots, and I know that you don’t want to offend any members of our community,” he said. “There are people who have moved here or will move here, and will live here and will spend money here, because you fly the flag over the city.”
He wondered if officials decided not to fly the pride flag or other flags because they feared legal ramifications. As the former chair of Maine’s Human Rights Commission, Ashby said he is familiar with discrimination law. He offered to help the city craft an ordinance that wouldn’t violate anyone’s rights and could include various flags.
As a veteran, the possibility of not seeing the POW/MIA flag flown is disturbing, Keith Endy said. He recounted a relative who was missing in action for two weeks during World War II.
Endy and resident Elyse Kiehn urged the city to reconsider flying the pride flag and other flags as demonstrations of support.
Councilors took no action on the flag issue, but following the meeting Council Chair Kevin Freeman said the city’s duty is to address city operations and functions, not to weigh in either for or against outside organizations.
City officials will consider a policy regarding flags and present it to the public when complete, he said.
“With regard to Pride Aroostook, the committee can organize and conduct events in Presque Isle as anyone else can be permitted to do so,” he said. “Our community welcomes and hosts many events annually and I’m sure that June Pride Month will be just as successful.”
