Moore, Tania
From: Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 12:04 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL; [email protected]
Cc: eg Corley
Subject: in Support of the Pride Fla
Attachments: LGBTQCenterOC_HBCityCouncil_Mar7.pdf
Hello,
Peating Than altached letter in support of the Pride flag in preparation for tonight's city council --
Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, M.A. (she/her/ella)
Director of Advocacy and Education
LGBTO (CENTER
Office: 714-953-5428 xt. 2050
Direct: 657-216-7961
LGBTQCenterOC.org
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@fin(
SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Matting Data.. 3/7/2023.
Agenda Mom a.i.. a 33-192).
1 The LGBTQ Center OC
1605 N. Spurgeon Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
LGBTO CENTER
714.953.LGBT (5428)
714.246.8907
March 7, 2023
City Council
2000 Main Street,
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Dear Members of the Huntington Beach City Council:
My name is Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, and I am the Director of Advocacy and Education at the LGBTQ Center Oc, a long-standing organization that serves lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LG31) people in Orange County, California. For nearly fifty years, our organization has responded to the changing and growing needs of the Orange County LGBTQ community, providing culturally appropriate and affirming health and wellness services. The LGBTQ Center OC is disappointed with the decision made on Tuesday, February 21" by several Huntington Beach City Council members to remove the Pride flag from display during LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in June.
We are strongly encouraging the Huntington Beach City Council members to keep flying the Pride flag. We must take into consideration the escalating rate of hate crimes and incidents that have occurred over the past year in Orange County. The findings from the 2021 report by the Orange County Human Relations Commission reflect a 6% increase in hate crimes and incidents (from 2020) in Orange County. Specifically, there was an 83% increase in hate crimes impacting LGBTQIA+ community members. These findings demonstrate a significant shift that impact the safety and well-being for our LGBTQIA+ community members. Instead of division and vitriol, we should stand united and in support. We should set the example to other cities across Orange County, across the country, that our LGBTQIA+ residents feel welcomed and valued, as so much of our community is being attacked in different parts of the country.
The solution should not be to remove the Pride flag but rather to engage in respectful dialogue and education about its meaning and importance. It is through open and honest conversations that we can work towards creating a more inclusive community. There are many LGBTQIA+ community members and allies, especially those living within Huntington Beach, who believe in its significance. The Pride flag is a small but powerful symbol of hope and inclusion, and it deserves to be displayed proudly in Huntington Beach and in other cities across Orange County.
We hope that you will reconsider your decision and work towards finding a solution that promotes unity and acceptance for all members of our community. This solution is to keep the Pride flag raised and flying during LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our organization for more support or guidance.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, M.A.
Director of Advocacy and Education
[email protected]
(714)-953-5428 x2050
www.LGBTQCenterOC.org