Mayor's silence regarding pride flag is 'deafening'

SooToday.com received the following letter from faithful reader Tim Murphy in response to Mayor Debbie's decision to not fly the rainbow flag at City Hall.

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Mayor Deb and Members of Council:

To claim that it is against policy to fly a Rainbow flag at Sault Ste. Marie’s City Hall because, in your view, it would be a protest is a cop out. 

Cities across our country have made the simple decision to stand in solidarity and support of the LGBTQ2S population not only in their own communities, but in solidarity and support of a greater global community. 

As politicians and policy makers you know as well as I do that there are often alternate ways to deal with situations:  it is often possible to vary one’s perspective and put a different spin on one’s interpretation and reasoning.  

You have chosen a very narrow view.  

Semantics are all that are required here to right a moral wrong that you have committed and by which you have shamed my city and me. 

Flying the Rainbow flag is not a protest against tyranny. It is a celebration of freedom and of the great good fortune we have to live in a land that protects the basic human rights of its citizens.

A protest would have been to not participate in the Olympics. Our country’s sign of solidarity for its LGBTQ2S citizens was to participate in the games while refusing to remain silent in the face of hatred and discrimination.  

Your silence, on the other hand, is deafening and the lack of support you have shown for your gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer and two spirited constituents and their friends and families is crushing.

As a teenager growing up in this city I had to deal with finding the word "fag" etched into my locker. 

Cruel and ignorant schoolmates would taunt me because I had a high voice; because I was too effeminate to be a "St. Mary's man"; because I wasn't good at sports but I liked to sing; and because I was involved in theatre. 

No one stood up for me then. This is your chance to stand up for me now. 

I am not asking for a protest. I am asking for your support.  

Respectfully,

Timothy Murphy

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