By Susan Hardee Steger
July 2, 2018 8:58 p.m.
A Pride Flag raised on the Fernandina Beach City Hall flag pole Tuesday June 26, was lowered Saturday June 30, following a gathering of supporters who joined together in celebration. Dr. Theresa Sparks, a local LGBTQ activist, spoke to the crowd on what the flag’s presence at City Hall meant to her.
“The me I am, the me I had to hide for so very long out of fear of losing my job, of being assaulted. It also represents the community who reminds me I am not alone, and I am loved. This flag in front of this building acknowledges me as a citizen of this community that deserves the same rights as all citizens. Most importantly to me, this flag symbolizes hope for our community and any others who are feeling vulnerable or marginalized.”
The City Commission reached consensus to approve the Pride Flag being flown on the City Hall flag pole at a special meeting called to approve ordinances related to customary use of the beach. The flag raising was an item added to the agenda two days before the meeting, and agreed upon with limited discussion. After the agreement, a mixed response from the public expressing support and concern for the commission approval was delivered to commissioners and city officials. According to City Attorney Tammi Bach, ” . . . I think some [commissioners] regret not objecting now.”
Although there is concern over what other “government speech,” (an official act of the elected officials) will follow, Attorney Tammi Bach said, “The display of the Pride flag at City Hall by the mayor is government speech which does not allow (or open “Pandora’s box”) for a new right of private individuals to demand, petition or be permitted to engage in private speech (i.e. other flags such as Confederate battle flag, Christian flag, heterosexual flags) on the Fernandina Beach City Hall official flag pole. ”
Following the raising of the Pride Flag, an unidentified individual began parading a Confederate Flag on the sidewalk in front of City Hall.
On Tuesday, July 2, the regular meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission will be held. Discussion of the flag raising and the commission’s use of “government speech” to raise the Pride Flag is not on the agenda, but the public could weigh in on the issue during public comment, and commissioners can discuss the issue during commissioner comments.