Gilroy Set To Adopt New Flag Flying Policy

GILROY, CA — The city of Gilroy was set to adopt a new flag flying policy at its meeting Monday in response to controversy over approval of flying an LGBTQ pride flag last year.

Residents who wish to fly a commemorative flag at City Hall will have to submit an application with 150 signatures of Gilroy adult residents, according to the staff report.

“The City has raised commemorative flags in the past, but concerns regarding the level of involvement, staff time, and cost were raised, as some flag flying requests include ceremonies and other levels of staff participation, whether in support of the event or just because of its presence on City property,” the staff report read.

Related: Gilroy Flag Flying Policy Set For Update After Pride Controversy

Despite unanimously declaring June as LGBTQ Pride Month, the council was split 4-3 in last 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."

The new policy states that staff time would be limited to processing the application, purchasing the flag, raising and lowering the flag and announcing the flag raising.

Click here to view the staff report. The council meeting was set for 6 p.m. Monday. Click here for more information.