Bristol Residents Request Flag Representing Christian Values

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

August 14, 2021

Bristol resident Tom Berrill, who represents the Interfaith Coalition for the Preservation of Marriage and Innocence, asked the Bristol City Council at its meeting to consider flying a flag representing Christian values at City Hall after an LGBTQ pride flag was raised in June.

Berrill said the coalition would like to ask the city government if it knew what it supported by flying the “gay flag” over the city. Berrill said he felt thousands in Bristol were excluded by the flying of the flag and that they believed in the God of the Christian Bible who created marriage between one man and woman.

“We would like to propose that you allow us to raise our flag over City Hall during the month of September so that we can also be represented,” Berrill said. “We have come up with such a flag. This is not a flag representing any kind of pride but is representative of straight humility before God.”

City Councilwoman for the Third District Brittany Barney responded to Berrill by saying she would abstain from any such vote taken.

“I appreciate you speaking and that’s your right to have your opinion,” Barney said during the meeting. “I will not vote on that because it’s offensive. I understand you have this idea in your head that what you’re asking for is OK but it’s not appropriate.”

Barney said she felt obligated to speak up for the members of her district and LGBTQ community members and make it clear the flag request would not be a vote in which she would participate.