Moore, Tania
From: Levi, Peter <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2023 9:04 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL; [email protected]
Subject: Concerning Proposed Ordinance to Limit Flag Displays Attachments: Huntington Beach City Council - ADL letter.pdf Please find attached [and below] a letter concerning the proposed ordinance to limit flag displays.
February 2, 2023
Dear Members of the Huntington Beach City Council,
On behalf of ADL (Anti-Defamation League), we submit the following comment in opposition to the proposal to limit flag displays at city facilities.
As you may know, ADL is a leading anti-hate organization founded to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. We have a longstanding commitment to protecting civil rights, including the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, antisemitism and anti-LBGTQ+ bias is often intertwined. Support for one community does not undermine or distract from support from another.
If enacted, this proposed ordinance would prohibit Huntington Beach facilities from flying the Pride flag in June. The rainbow flag serves as a symbol of hope and pride for members of the LGBTQ+ community. For groups who have been oppressed, marginalized, discriminated against and targeted for bullying, harassment and violence, pride is key. Huntington Beach has supported the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and affirmed their self-worth and dignity by flying the flag sending the message all deserve to be treated with respect and free from hate and harassment.
The Pride Flag is not political. It is about identity and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Celebrating the rich diversity of the Huntington Beach community is not a political statement and prohibiting the display of pride flags because they are allegedly "divisive" sends a dangerous message to the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The change in Huntington Beach policy will actively send the message that they are not welcome here, that they do not belong, while emboldening extremists.
Across the county, members of the LGBTQ+, particularly children, are being targeted and discriminated against. Dismissing the pride flag as merely "political" is insulting to the LGBTQ+ community and those who; support the civil rights of all citizens. Huntington Beach is a place where all neighbors should not only feel safe and secure, but also welcomed and valued. We should stand with members of the LGTBQ+ community and join in celebration.
We urge you to reject the proposed ordinance to limit flag displays.
Sincerely,
Peter S. Levi
Regional Director SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
ADL Orange County/Long Beach
[email protected]
Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
orangecounty.adl.org
t: 949.679.3770
Agenda him No: 30 (23:109)
1 Regional Officers
Regional Chair
Michael Rosen
ADL.
Committee Chairs
Advocacy & Engagemen
Stuart Kata
ORANGE COUNTY/
vil Righ LONG BEACH
uart Wol
evelopmer
ene Alterma
February 2, 2023
Education and Vice Chair
Michelle Gertley
International Affairs Dear Members of the Huntington Beach City Council, Robin Steinmetz
On behalf of ADL (Anti-Defamation League), we submit the following comment in At large
Josh Grushkin opposition to the proposal to limit flag displays at city facilities.
Mark Kudler
Mike Rubin As you may know, ADL is a leading anti-hate organization founded to stop the defamation Marc Schneider
Regional Staff of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. We have a longstanding Regional Director commitment to protecting civil rights, including the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. In Peter Levi
fact, antisemitism and anti-LBGTQ+ bias is often intertwined. Support for one community Director of Development
Evelyn Ramirez-Schultz does not undermine or distract from support from another.
Director of Education
Shannon McGowan If enacted, this proposed ordinance would prohibit Huntington Beach facilities from flying National Officers the Pride flag in June. The rainbow flag serves as a symbol of hope and pride for members National Chair
Ben Sax of the LGBTQ+ community. For groups who have been oppressed, marginalized, discriminated against and targeted for bullying, harassment and violence, pride is key.
CEO and National Director
Jonathan Greenblatt Huntington Beach has supported the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and affirmed their Deputy National Director self-worth and dignity by flying the flag sending the message all deserve to be treated with Kenneth Jacobson
respect and free from hate and harassment.
The Pride Flag is not political. It is about identity and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Celebrating the rich diversity of the Huntington Beach community is not a political statement and prohibiting the display of pride flags because they are allegedly "divisive" sends a dangerous message to the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The change in Huntington Beach policy will actively send the message that they are not welcome here, that they do not belong, while emboldening extremists.
Across the county, members of the LGBTQ+, particularly children, are being targeted and discriminated against. Dismissing the pride flag as merely "political" is insulting to the LGBTQ+ community and those who support the civil rights of all citizens. Huntington Beach is a place where all neighbors should not only feel safe and secure, but also welcomed and valued. • We should stand with members of the LGTBQ+ community and join in celebration.
We urge you to reject the proposed ordinance to limit flag displays.
Sincerely,
Peter S. Levi
Regional Director
ADL Orange County/Long Beach
1201 Dove Street, Suite 390, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | I: 949.679.3737 | [email protected] | Orange-County.adl.org