Montana city adopts Pride flag as its official banner... and the Republican governor is furious

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

A city council in Montana voted to establish the Pride flag as the city's only official pennant - which the Republican governor slammed as a 'divisive, far-left' move.
Missoula city Councilmember Jennifer Savage introduced the resolution, which designates the colorful Pride flag as an official municipal flag within city limits.
During council discussions, dozens of locals offered their support - and the motion passed 9-2 on June 2.
This measure came into place as a direct response to a bill signed on May 13 by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte - which prohibited the display of 'flags or banners regarding a political party, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political ideology' on government buildings.
House Bill 819 stipulates that only 'official historical flags' of the US such as the Gadsden flag and municipal flags can be displayed on government property. This includes Montana court houses, city departments and public schools.
Seemingly as an act of rebellion against the law enforced by the Republican governor, the city council voted to make the rainbow-colored flag their official banner.
Gianforte expressed his ire following the council's brazen decision.
He wrote: 'Missoula City Council should be ashamed for imposing a pride flag on schools and dividing their community.
'Last night, nine members of the Missoula City Council made clear their top priority is flying a divisive pride flag over government buildings and schools.
'Missoulians deserve better, and fortunately, two council members voted against imposing this divisive, far-left agenda on their community.'
The council was sure to make the distinction that the Pride flag is now 'a' city flag not 'the' city flag. Although the city has no other official flags.
Democratic Representative Melody Cunningham opposed Gianforte's initial bill: 'This bill was heard before our Judiciary Committee in the House session.
'We argued vociferously that the Pride flag was certainly a historical flag and that it was very important.'
Councilmembers in Missoula echo her concern.
Another councilmember, Mike Nugent, addressed the room stating: 'I think that the message that we keep hearing over and over is that people are passionate about it because they just want to make sure that there's safe space for everybody and that when they do something like fly a flag or something like that, it kind of lets people know that it's a safe space for people to come.'
The council was sure to make the distinction that the Pride flag (stock image) is now 'a' city flag not 'the' city flag. Although the city has no other official flags
'It's important to be able to come forward and stand up for this community. It's always urgent to me as the mother of a gay daughter. So that's why I'm bringing this forward now,' said Councilmember Savage.
During the meeting, citizens addressed the council in support of the motion.
'I didn't get to grow up in a place where things like queer people were talked about, or pride flags were allowed. I almost was not here at this point in my life, so I want you to consider how many lives you can save through simple actions,' one person stated.
Others expressed their support via social media, 'Good Job, Missoula! Proud of my hometown!,' wrote one Facebook user.
Despite many community members speaking out in support of the movement, council members, citizens and even the Governor himself expressed opposition.
'Individuals can express what matters to them without it becoming an official government stance. True inclusivity as a government entity means staying neutral, and we need to uphold public trust by not taking sides,' Councilwoman Sandra Vasecka told Daily Mail.
She also expressed concern over the speed at which the motion was passed stating that 'rather than having about a week to let the public know and gather information, we had one weekend. I am unsure why such a controversial item was rushed through.'
'I absolutely stand by my decision to vote no.'
Councilmember Mike Campbell also voted against the motion - but opposes HB 819 as well calling it 'a very poorly crafted piece of legislation. It should have never have happened.'
However, he told the council that he doesn't believe in making the kind of exclusions that Savage's motion creates, according to Longview News-Journal.
The response on among locals on social media was overwhelmingly negative. Many Missoulians agree with Gov. Gianforte, several shamed city council calling the city an 'embarrassment.'
While the motion does not require any government entities to fly the flag, it allows those to choose to to display it proudly without violating HB 819.
Regardless, many taxpayers agree they would rather councilmembers give their attention to other Missoula matters.