LGBTQ+ community speaks out at Salisbury City Council meeting over pride flag issue
SALISBURY, Md. – The LGBTQ+ community flooded the public comment period of a Salisbury City Council work session in opposition to the Mayor’s decision not to fly the pride flag.
The show of solidarity from the LGBTQ+ community follows Mayor Randy Taylor’s recent announcement that the City of Salisbury would not allow a Pride flag to be raised downtown ahead of pride month. This resulted in supporters showing up to the meeting Monday evening where they spoke out against that decision.
Council chambers were packed, standing room only, with a number of people having to stand by the doorway listening in the hall.
WMDT News was there and had the opportunity to speak to several residents who vehemently opposed Mayor Taylor’s decision.
“What I got mostly, from the legal aspect, is that the City does have its own first amendment right to make a choice,” explained Andrew Heller. “It does have its own first amendment right to raise the flag, and say how it feels, that it does support the LGBTQ+ community.”
Other residents who spoke with our news department did not hold back and told us that they’re deeply disappointed with Mayor Taylor.
“He really made me and others feel that he does not care about the LGBTQ+ community,” explained Lori McClean.
That same sentiment was shared by Rosie Bean, another resident who showed up and spoke out in support of flying the pride flag.
“Personally, I feel like our Mayor was less receptive than I hoped he would be,” Bean said.
Now, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies are hopeful that, following the meeting, the City is able to come to a resolution of the issue where the flag will be able to fly like in years past.
“Hopefully, they’re able to raise the flag because it’s an important piece of our community,” explained Jordan Murphy. “Especially doing that right ahead of pride month, it just felt spiteful.”
So far, there’s been no reversal from the city on the issue and no official plans to let the pride flag fly downtown on City property. Monday’s meeting was a work session and therefore no official decisions or changes were going to be made.
Following his decision not to fly the flag last month, Mayor Taylor told our news department that using city assets to promote any one group over the other is inappropriate.
“We just came to the conclusion that we wouldn’t do that for any other group. So, we wouldn’t necessarily do it for PFLAG,” Mayor Taylor said. “We’re supportive of any group in public discourse or speech, but using city assets is a different thing, entirely.”
On June 29th, the City’s Arts, Business, and Culture Department will be working with Salisbury PFLAG to put on a pride parade and festival, which Mayor Taylor told us still has the green light.
