A Detroit-area community has banned LGBTQ+ flags from publicly owned poles after a tense hourslong meeting that raised questions about discrimination, religion and the city’s reputation for welcoming newcomers.
In protest, a woman speaking during the public comment portion of the Hamtramck City Council meeting kissed a woman standing next to her Tuesday night.“You guys are welcome,” council member Nayeem Choudhury said. “ why do you have to have the flag shown on government property to be represented? You’re already represented. We already know who you are.”
Some members of the all-Muslim council said the Pride flag clashes with the beliefs of some members of their faith. Businesses and residents aren’t prohibited from displaying a Pride flag on their own property.Hamtramck, population 27,000, is an enclave surrounded by Detroit. More than 40% of residents were born in other countries, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and a significant share are of Yemeni or Bangladeshi descent.
The council voted unanimously to display only five flags, including the American flag, the Michigan flag and one that represents the native countries of immigrant residents. Mayor Amer Ghalib made the flag a campaign issue when then-Mayor Karen Majewski flew one on city property in 2021.Hayley Cain said she chose to live in Hamtramck after moving from California because it was known as a diverse community.
“I’m questioning whether it is. ... The Pride flag represents making space for all humans on all the spectrums, and this is where we’re going as a human species,” Cain said. “You can’t stop that.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
10 Essential LGBTQ+ Films to Watch This Pride Month and BeyondThe author of 'The Queer Film Guide' shares his top ten recommendations for any mood you’re in.
Read more »
Proud to be part of Pride: First-timers rally to LGBTQ+ causeWith political tensions rising across the country against with regards to the LGBTQ+ community, many first time Pride-goers stepped out to show solidarity with the queer community.
Read more »
Digitally altered pride parade photo fuels anti-LGBTQ rhetoricAn image spreading across platforms purports to show an LGBTQ pride event participant wearing a T-shirt that says 'trans kids are sexy.' But the photo has been digitally altered; the original shows the person in plain white at a November 2021 parade in the US state of California, and the supposed T-shirt about transgender children is a fake that exploits a child's image.
Read more »
Anti-LGBTQ backlash rattles US pride eventsA spike in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and threats has taken a heavy toll on pride celebrations in the United States this year, organizers say -- especially in states where politicians want to curtail rights.The legislation, replicated in several other US states, also comes amid a torrent of anti-LGBTQ disinformation online.
Read more »
'Closeted Support': Texas Rangers Only MLB Team To Not Host LGBTQ Pride EventGlobe Life Field in Arlington will be the only major league park to not host a night celebrating the LGBTQ community.
Read more »
Officials continue to hear pros and cons of LGBTQ Pride events“We’ve extended invitations to have coffee with some of the folks who have expressed concerns,' said Corey Harvard, director of PrismUnitedAL, 'and I wished they would take us up on that and get to know us instead of acting on fear and paranoia...'
Read more »