Gilroy Flag Flying Policy Set For Update After Pride Controversy

GILROY, CA — The city of Gilroy will consider updating its flag flying policy at a council meeting next week after controversy over approval of flying an LGBTQ pride flag earlier this year.

Despite unanimously declaring June as LGBTQ Pride Month, the council was split 4-3 in May on approval of raising the pride flag over city hall, with one councilmember citing the need to “stay neutral and not fly any group’s flag at City Hall other than our own government flags.”

“We are on a slippery slope now, and I think a ‘can of worms’ has just been opened,” Councilmember Carol Marques wrote on Facebook on May 4.

Under the current flag flying policy, any commemorative flags can be approved by the city council, and the flags are an expression of the city’s official sentiments.

“The current policy leaves ambiguity about how involved the City and its staff are to participate in any flag raising events, and what is expected from the City in authorizing the flying of commemorative flags,” city staff wrote in a report.

Instead, staff proposed that the council pre-approve a list of commemorative flags to be flown each year, as well as which flags would have a ceremonial event that would take up staff time.

Staff cited neighboring cities’ flag flying policies as potential comparisons. The city of Hollister, for instance, has an application process and requires 100 signatures from local community members for any commemorative flags.

The council is set to discuss the item at Monday’s council meeting, which will be held at the City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. and can be streamed here. The agenda with staff reports is available here.