Speaker 1: So watch. Thank you, Mr. Gideon. Thank you. For those people that had been asking, that's the answer. Check to see. You know, thank you. That was a crime experience. But two years ago. Two and a half years ago. Thanks. Thank you.
Speaker 8: All right, Madam Clark, we're going to skip to item number 14. Could you please read on 14, please?
Speaker 2: Communication from Council Member Pearce recommendation to request the city manager to have the LGBTQ Pride Flag fly every day at City Hall to show support until the LGBTQ community has equal rights nationwide.
Speaker 8: Okay. So we have a motion council member. Is there a second to this? Councilmember Pearce, you want to speak to your motion?
Speaker 5: Thank you. I want to say I was really honored to put this item as my first item. Long Beach quickly became my home. Once I found a community at the LGBTQ center and I was, you know, raised by somebody that was part of the LGBT community in Texas. And so I know firsthand the struggles that people in our LGBT community face every day outside of of Long Beach and Long Beach, we've come a really long way in the rights of LGBT community, but we still have a long way to go. We have people in our community that are continually facing struggle turned away from establishments based on their sexual identity. We have people that are still struggling to find public accommodations, making sure that we have public education, where LGBT community would be protected from discrimination, and also making sure that our LGBT community has opportunities around federal funding for education and health care. And so here in Long Beach, we all stood outside City Hall, a group of us a little over a year ago to celebrate marriage equality. And what we said was that marriage equality was a great first step, but we still have a long way to go that we wanted to fight for equity. And so I propose raising the flag to celebrate our LGBT community here, but also at a national level. And I want to make two amendments because I know that there's been some discussion about why the LGBT community. So first, I would like to make an amendment to the item that we asked for a report back from city staff to include a report back on all of our flags. How many flagpoles do we have? What flags have been flown? What flags have been taken down? And what's the process for moving forward to raise one of these flags? I also want to make sure we include how many flagpoles do we plan to have at the Civic Center at our new civic center? My Second Amendment to this item is that we raise the flag starting as soon as we can, and that we keep it up until either this group decides that there's another process for how we raise flags or until the Equal Rights Amendment is passed at the federal level. So it's not a forever situation. It is a until we have rights at the federal level. But I'm open to some discussion about that. I know that there was some discussion about an interfaith flag, veteran's flag. And so I definitely want to make sure that we have an open discussion about how our city celebrates our diversity, but how we also whenever there is an opportunity to say people in the LGBT community in Long Beach should walk around feeling proud, and we should also have a symbol to say that we respect those rights and that while we are divided, sometimes the city as a whole values equality and equity. So thank you. I ask for your vote tonight.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Councilmember Pearce. Councilmember Gonzalez.
Speaker 7: Yes, thank you, Councilmember Pearce. I think this was a, you know, brought up a lot of good discussion. I, too, am a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community, like many of us here on the dais. I know Councilmember Pearce, his story and it's definitely something I know she she certainly believes in and I think many of us do here in the city of Long Beach. I would also like to see the process unfold to see exactly what we can do. You know, going forward with the new civic center, how many flagpoles we will have. There has been discussions. Maybe we raise the flag. I believe we have. The Purple Heart flag is one of them during November Veterans Month. And so there's a lot of discussions that have arise from this. I think although this was intended for one thing to begin with, it's really opened it up to a lot of other beautiful discussions for many other demographics. So I'm looking forward to hearing that first before we move forward. So thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you, Councilmember Councilmember Price.
Speaker 3: Thank you. I want to echo the comments of Councilwoman Gonzales with, with one exception and rather than many of us behind the dais, support the LGBTQ community. I'd I'd say without a doubt, all of us on this council support the LGBTQ community, and we have done so not just in our actions and our words, but in both and everything that we do. So I don't think that I'm glad that we're asking for a study because for me, while I'm very supportive of the LGBTQ community and the pursuit for equal rights, I want to make sure that all residents feel represented and that we as a city are not giving special attention to one group or another. I would hate to be in a position where we're denying a request to fly a flag from an organization like the Veterans, for example, because that's one of the issues that we've gotten calls about over the last few days, is what about our organization? We'd like a flag to and every single person who and not just organizations, but that's probably a bad word. Like the veterans aren't an organization, but they represent.
Speaker 2: A group.
Speaker 3: Of people who live in our community who deserve to be recognized and protected. And it's to me, it's about inclusion. So I don't want to be in a position where we're not able to. I accept the requests that people make, and I do like the idea of looking at what the flagpole make up is going to be for the new civic center, because it may be that we have, you know, the the flags that are inclusive of all of us, the American flag, the state flag, the city flag. And then maybe we have another poll or a couple of polls where we can highlight additional causes, groups, individuals, anything that women's rights, you know, domestic violence, anything that we want to highlight, we can do so with some additional flags that are out there that give us an opportunity to say yes to everybody. That's important to me, to be able to include everybody and not have anyone feel that they're not involved as as residents and that they're not valued as much as others . So with that, I do want to thank Councilwoman Pearce for bringing this forward. I think it's going to spur a really good discussion and actually probably prompt us to look at something that we hadn't looked at for the nearest civic center. I don't think we've even talked about that. So it's actually a great discussion for us to start having. So thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Councilmember Price. Councilman Austin.
Speaker 10: Thank you. And I don't disagree with anything that any of my colleagues have mentioned thus far. This is a this is Long Beach and we know that here the city government certainly supports our LGBT CU community. I personally have worked to help elect the first gay male here. Dan Baker had the opportunity to work with Jerry Ships Key, the first lesbian, openly lesbian, a member of the city council and obviously our mayor this is this is a the LGBTQ community has a rich fabric in our community and deserves to be honored. And I think we do so quite frequently with the new Harvey Milk Park. We have a great gay pride parade in celebration and a month that we dedicate to that. I'm the I have one question because I know we have a number of flags flying right now. And there's two parts of her motion. The original motion was to do a study, which I certainly support. The other part is to to fly the flag until. So what comes down? In the interim. Is there a blank open flagpole now?
Speaker 5: It's my understanding that the last time we flew the pride flag is that it flew underneath our state flag. Or is that correct? State flag that it would be two on one pole. Yes. This is exciting stuff, guys. Exciting stuff.
Speaker 1: Wow.
Speaker 5: Sorry about that.
Speaker 1: There's. If we choose to fly.
Speaker 9: Below the state flag, that there's certainly room for that immediately.
Speaker 10: Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you, Councilman Austin. And I'll just I can't really queue up, so I'll just make my comments now. I would say thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Pearce, for for bringing this forward. And congratulations on your first city council item. I'll say that. And I would say that, you know, sometimes sometimes it is good to, you know, go ahead, allow staff to, you know, put it all together, look at it and come with a recommendation that, you know, the whole city council can support. I'm certainly going to support the proposal and what I heard and I want to make sure that this is in your motion. What I heard was you want them to take a look at the gate, the pride flag. You want them to look at the, you know, Purple Heart, Gold Star mothers. You know, those groups, the Gold Star Mothers had a flag and it came down to the process of the move as well as the interfaith flag. Yeah, those are the three you want to make sure are included in this study.
Speaker 5: I want to make sure that we include those and any others that might be down in the past. Certainly certain and correct me if I'm wrong, the flag come down.
Speaker 1: It's still there.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 5: Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Okay, councilman. Subpoena.
Speaker 6: Okay. I guess I would like further clarification. I thought Councilman Austin's point, I wasn't sure where you're going, but I guess I would make a friendly amendment in that if we're going to do a study, let's study it and not take any action right now. So how would you like to frame that in terms of that? Would that be a friendly amendment.
Speaker 8: A city, a city attorney? Could you just restate what you understand is the motion? My understanding is that, yeah, I think there's a little confusion here, but the my understanding is that staff is going to look at all the flags together.
Speaker 9: Yeah. My my understanding of the motion from the second District was that she had requested a report back to the city council on on the flags, the number of poles, what's flying on them, how how you determine a flag is placed on the pole and what is the procedure to do that? And then the second part of that motion was to fly the flag, the LGBTQ flag, until that study comes back. Way I understood.
Speaker 1: It.
Speaker 6: And that's what I heard also. I think we have a cart and a horse syndrome here. If we're going to do the study, let's do the study and find out how we proceed. So that would be my I want to call it a friend of the amendment this time. So. So looking for a second on that.
Speaker 8: Thank you so much. Well, there is no it will.
Speaker 9: Be a subsequent motion.
Speaker 8: Friendly, friendly amendment. So if it's not Councilmember Pearce, so you have a friendly to combine the study with the pride flag. Are you open to that?
Speaker 5: Let me think. Yeah.
Speaker 1: Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. And I would just ask, what is your timing? Your timing considerations?
Speaker 5: You get that back in the next 30 days to shorten.
Speaker 1: We will certainly tell you.
Speaker 9: Where we are in 30 days, but we'll try to come back in 30 days.
Speaker 8: Just a recommendation, I would say. Try to bring it back after the budget. Give them a good 60 days so they actually have a report.
Speaker 5: Sure. If you could bring it back right after the budget, which is September 15th, that.
Speaker 9: Will come as fast as we can and give you updates. No worries.
Speaker 5: Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Councilmember Price.
Speaker 3: Just one quick question. Do we have a flag policy? And if not, can we look at creating one so that in the future, if a group comes and says, we'd like our flag flown, we can have a policy that's kind of consistent and not arbitrary.
Speaker 1: Councilmember Pierson Members of the City Council. Price Scuse me. And Member City Council, we do have a flag policy.
Speaker 9: It's actually a.
Speaker 1: City manager administrative regulation that does spell out and we do have information on the flags. But one of the provisions.
Speaker 9: Of that policy is if any other flag wants to be added, then it's.
Speaker 1: There's a discussion at the city council that happens. So we're appropriately following that process.
Speaker 8: Thank you, Councilman Austin.
Speaker 10: And as a follow up to that policy, is there in that policy, is there direction on on taking the flag or removing the flag from our poll? Because I have my staff research all of the flags and there's at least one of them that gives me some some concern.
Speaker 1: Not having committed it to memory. I don't recall exactly about removing, but I don't believe it really talked about removing it talks.
Speaker 9: About the federal flag and how that should be flown because there are some protocols on the federal flag. It talks about the city and the other flags.
Speaker 1: We have a list of some others that have been added over the years. There are several flags that are flown every day.
Speaker 9: But we can certainly revisit the policy that's currently there.
Speaker 1: We'll talk about that in the report and then we can certainly look at how to remove flags. And again, I think all of that really does happen at the city council level.
Speaker 10: Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. There it is. Thank you. So seeing no more council comic will open it up to public comment.
Speaker 1: Very good. You click as the address. I would suggest to the council person from the Second District that our energies should be focused 100% and trying to forestall. The bankruptcy that is facing this state, this city, instead of going off on a harebrained idea like this. We fly the American flag, the state flag, the city flag and the flag. And I don't know if the official policy is relative to the gold star that is connected with veterans. Military affairs. Buried. Any other flag can certainly be flown, but not here. At the city hall. What I've long suggested is we create and this and this is particularly true given well. Let me go back. I've suggested a couple of years ago. Three years ago. What we develop is that in our largest city park, Eldorado Park, we set aside a place where we call pandering park. And on the longest weekend of the year in the summer, starting at Friday till Monday, any group, whatever they are. Good, bad, whatever, good looking, bad looking, whatever group left, right. They can march over Hill, over Dale, over here, there and anywhere they want and get it out of their system period. And that is particularly true when we're talking about the. Gay flag and the Harvey Milk debacle, which was engendered by despicable conduct of a mayor that capitalized on the tragic death of two individuals. Neither of whom had any connection to whatsoever. But he thought he could make some political hay out of that. That. Will be eventually removed also over to and we can put it in pandering park. But the policies should be these three flags that are flying their. In addition to the other flag that was referenced dealing with veterans. Period. Otherwise, what we've got is every Tom, Dick and Harry with every group from Mickey Mouse. To the Boy Scouts. To the Klu Klux Klan. What about the group that was in here? Parties complaining about the massacres in their country? We start doing that. Stick with those three flags.
Speaker 8: And thank you, Mr. Goodhue. Thank you. Next.
Speaker 1: He's.
Speaker 2: Good evening again, Diana Le Gene. First of all, I do want to commend Councilwoman Pierce for her empathy and to her feelings about this particular issue. My my concern is, is that if you're going to represent one group, then you need to represent all. So one thing that could be considered is like the U.N. the U.N. has flags from all the different nations. So you could have in the courtroom in the area outside city hall, you could have a number of different flags and you could have a number of different groups represented. However, you're going to have to really use your judgment on which ones because you might want to have the veterans flags or what about Black Lives Matter? Or What about the Hispanics? Or. So, you know, you're going to be very careful to be inclusive. One of the things that concern me are that you're going to have to have a flag with a green cross on it because medical marijuana patients are also very underrepresented. So I'm just and I'm not saying that to be funny. I you know, they are legally persecuted. So. So I'm just saying, you might want to be very careful with them. And I do understand wanting to support people who are not being honored. And in that respect, what I have personally done is I will not stand up from this day forward. In fact, I started a couple of weeks ago to stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance because it ends with and liberty and justice for all. And that is just not true in this country. It is just not true. And until that happens and I don't care what it I don't care whether you're black, white, purple, green, medical marijuana patient or you're Hispanic. It doesn't matter to me. It should be liberty and justice for all. And so if you really want to object to that, then my suggestion is you do not stand for I love the country. I just do not appreciate the the the empty words of liberty and justice for all. So I'm just suggesting that if you want to truly object to it, sit down. Don't. You know, that's a great way of quietly objecting to the injustice in this country. Thank you very much.
Speaker 8: Thank you.
Speaker 2: My name is excuse me. My name is Lynn Roba. I've been a resident here for 36 years. I suggest that the lady before me might want to visit some other countries where there is no liberty and justice for all before she stops saluting our beautiful flag. When I found out about this item agenda, my first reaction was, I don't remember getting to vote on this. And so I decided to come down here and give my opinion. I've always bragged about Long Beach as being so racially diverse, and we have a lot of people that we know from other countries that we show around here, and we're so proud of Long Beach and its diversity. It's also diverse and backgrounds and cultures and religions and persuasions. I think it's a mistake to lift up one particular persuasion above another and to honor that persuasion with flying just their flag below these three flags. I think it's a mistake. We all have persuasions and we all are waiting to see our goals be realized. How many flags will there need to be to represent all of us in Long Beach? I recommend that we not approve this recommendation. Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Next.
Speaker 6: Hello. I'm David Pope Grover, and I'm the pastor of Hope Chapel in Long Beach, and I'm a resident here the same time as my wife, Lynn, who just spoke. And I would like to say something about the American flag tonight. We saluted it.
Speaker 1: Together and we were in unity.
Speaker 6: And there's so much diversity here. But when we we see our flag, the the the red, white and blue. And we see ourselves as a nation under God. We're in.
Speaker 1: Unity.
Speaker 6: And this this flag protects all peoples. There. There should be liberty and justice and freedom for all. But I don't feel that it's a righteous act. To endorse what the Bible says is a sin. And we need to get to the root of the matter. We need to get back to the Bible and back to the Word of God. And so I'm here at Happy. To call you to repentance. And to come back to the truth because it's only the truth will truly set us free and make us find peace among ourselves. God bless you. I hope you'll consider that.
Speaker 1: Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Next.
Speaker 1: My name is Daniel Cartagena. I live in the first district. I'm a veteran from the Korean War. I was in the first Marine Division from 1951 to 52 and Korea. And I was at the VA hospital yesterday when this discussion started about the flag. At first, you know, I was upset. Because to me, the American flag means a hell of a lot. I know many of you weren't even born towards the end of World War Two, but at the Battle of Iwo Jima. There were five Marines and one Navy corpsman that raised the flag on Mount Suribachi. And to me, that represented the strength of our country. I'm a very proud man to live in the United States. I did my service time. And so when this item came up, I wasn't too sure how hard to digest it. At first I was upset. But then I decided I wanted to come down here to. To find out more about it. And I don't have a problem talking about maybe a policy for flags. But I think I like to everybody to know that, you know, the American flag means a hell of a lot to a lot of us veterans. And I think that veterans should be included if there's going to be any input on any of this discussion. And I can I know several guys that would be more than happy to come down and discuss this whole issue. So that's my response. Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Next.
Speaker 1: Hi, Dave is Keith resident in Long Beach. I just want to say on this topic of the flag for the LGBTQ being flown. I feel that it's opening up a can of worms and you're going to get some pushback. And lastly, there is inclusion, inclusion, inclusion. The study must be done. Because other groups are going to come forward and say, hey, my flag should be able to fly as well. I agree with you, Suzy, and what you said, Jeannie, all of those things that you mentioned about the issues that the L, g, b, t q deal with, African-Americans are dealing with that. Almost since the beginning of time, and we still don't have equality. So if that is the case, the study must be done because the Black Lives Matter is going to come up and say, Hey, our flag should be flying up there too, because we've been dealing with the issue much longer then the pride community. That is what's going to happen. And this is a hot topic. As a former reporter for an ABC affiliate station. Trust me. It's going to be some pushback in the community and the news is going to grab on to it and you're going to be seeing a lot of stories going on. So I'm not saying that I'm against it. I'm not saying I'm for it. I'm kind of neutral right now. But if. The Council decides to move forward. Then you have to open it up for everybody. And on the topic of flying all year long until equality runs, until equality is achieved, rather then if that's the case, then it needs to be opened up to other groups to. For African-Americans and the Latino, Latinos and everybody else until equality is achieved. So there's a whole lot in there that needs to be considered. A whole lot. So think about it very carefully, because once again, it's going to open up a can of worms. If we move forward. If we go forward. This is Long Beach. Hey, more power to you, but it has to be open to everybody else. Thank you. And one last thing. I agree with the lady. I think she laugh in regards to the Pledge of Allegiance. And justice for all. We haven't got there yet because if we have, we wouldn't be having all of this push back and confusion going on in America.
Speaker 8: Thank you, sir. Next.
Speaker 1: Hello. Jim Hutchinson.
Speaker 0: Again and.
Speaker 1: Again. I just going to echo some of the same sentiments that have been articulated. I have appreciated the ethnic, cultural and demographic diversity of our city, but I am again convinced that we must put the brakes on this resolution for several reasons. Most of us agree that the American flag is a powerful symbol of unification, patriotism and shared values. However, the rainbow flag does not unify or reflect shared values. It exalts one group above the others, as has been said. And it's going to divide rather than unify. It sends the wrong message, although many will say that it invites inclusiveness, it's going to do the opposite. Many in our community believe the LGBTQ issues and lifestyles are not healthy on many levels, but we respect the community's right to choose as long as it doesn't promote itself above other cultures and values, which also have the equal right to expression. This is exactly the message you will send if you vote yes on this resolution. Cultural flags, in my opinion, are just not appropriate for government venues. Also, many of us feel.
Speaker 0: Our voices.
Speaker 1: On this issue are either not heard or ignored, and that politicians, by attempting to pass these.
Speaker 0: Kinds of resolute.
Speaker 1: Resolutions, confirm the sentiment and disregarding large segments of the city's citizens who believe traditional and biblically based relationships are the best for physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Please vote no on this resolution a proposition which is divisive rather than unifying. Let us continue to agree to pledge the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And yes, we do not have liberty and justice for all, but we're pursuing that. So thank you for the time. This time, I pray that you would consider our opinions. Thank you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Next.
Speaker 2: Good evening. My name is Porter Dahlberg and I am the executive director for the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. I am also an LGBTQ person. I am here in strong support of Councilmember Pierce's original agenda item. Last night I was in Las Vegas on vacation with my parents as a treat to my mom. I took her to see Terry Faders Puppet Show at the Mirage. After three incredibly demeaning jokes about LGBTQ people, including putting a male audience member in a dress and then proclaiming that he could now use any restroom he wanted, I left, holding back hot tears of anger. I complained to the manager as my mother, who I love deeply and who I know loves me deeply as well, and tries her best to understand who I am. Did not stand beside me, but instead waited down the hallway while I expressed my concern. The manager told me that he was sorry I didn't enjoy the show and gave me the email address of someone else to contact. A gay man interrupted my complaints to tell the manager that he was gay and wasn't offended at all and that quote unquote, we needed to learn to laugh at ourselves. I felt the tears of raw vulnerability, threatening exposure, so I did not get to ask him when the last time he was harassed and a restroom was. I knew his answer would have been never. But the memory of the last time this happened to me was quickly surfacing in my mind. When Caitlyn Jenner accepted her SB award last year, she said, If you want to call me names, make jokes, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it. And I was one of those kids last night, childlike, full of insecurity, helplessness and doubt. And in that moment with the manager, I knew that I was all alone and no one was going to believe me or acknowledge my hurt. I did not feel safe in Las Vegas. Symbolism is important. When LGBTQ people see a rainbow flag flying at our civic center. They know we will believe and acknowledge them when they come to us with their hurt and pain. They will know that we are a city that cares enough about LGBTQ people and the messages we constantly receive that we are punch lines and punching bags are unacceptable. And they will know that we are a city that values, embraces and acknowledges how much farther LGBTQ people have to go in the world and among ourselves to live with safety and dignity and without shame. I deeply value the kindness and respect each of you has demonstrated towards the LGBTQ community. Our flag, our symbol of hope, is worthy of official acknowledgment more than once a year. And I strongly encourage you to honor the spirit of the original item and fly the flag for at least 30 days. While this study is conducted, it will go a long way in mending many wounded spirits and broken hearts, including mine. Thank you so.
Speaker 8: Thank you.
Speaker 1: Our next speaker.
Speaker 7: Hi. My name is Dr..
Speaker 5: Elaine Villanueva.
Speaker 7: Bernal, and they reside in the fourth District and.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 2: Support the study. And just so thank you just to and I.
Speaker 7: Want to share with you.
Speaker 2: With with this entire audience here that I am also a.
Speaker 7: Daughter of a Vietnam vet. My dad serve in Danang for two years from 1965 to 67. But tonight I am here to speak about the LGBTQ community.
Speaker 2: So I'm going to speak from a professional and professional.
Speaker 5: Professional and personal standpoint.
Speaker 3: And for.
Speaker 5: Those of you that know me, I teach chemistry, and I also teach with.
Speaker 2: Science education at Cal State Long Beach, and I'm faculty there for ten years.
Speaker 5: And while there has been great strides in.
Speaker 2: Promoting women, especially women of color like myself in STEM.
Speaker 7: We have a long way to go with the LGBTQ community. In my.
Speaker 5: Profession.
Speaker 7: From my experience being 15.
Speaker 2: Ten, 15.
Speaker 7: Years in the STEM community.
Speaker 5: In the profession, that science is pretty straight, very heteronormative.
Speaker 2: There was a recent study, Queer in STEM survey with 14 over 1400 participants, respondents where 40% of queer STEM workers reported that they have not come out to their colleagues and coworkers.
Speaker 5: And just to close this out in the last minute and a half, I want.
Speaker 2: To share one of my students stories. His name is Victor. He was one of my biochemistry students where when he came out to his parents, his parents kicked him out. And, you know, as far as the studies, it's like a tank. And on a positive note, fortunately, he returned home.
Speaker 5: Where while there's much conversation and healing that had to take.
Speaker 7: Place.
Speaker 5: He's one of our top student.
Speaker 2: Researchers now at Cal State Long Beach. So it's those things that I keep in mind as far as a symbolism that we need to show as a community and for the LGBT community.
Speaker 5: I think you.
Speaker 8: Thank you. Next.
Speaker 7: My name is Cynthia Newsom.
Speaker 2: I've been a.
Speaker 7: Resident in Long Beach for over 36 years.
Speaker 2: I just kind of want to give a timeline of. Our world. Our world was created by God.
Speaker 7: And when he made all the heavens and the earth and all the.
Speaker 2: Animals and everything, he made.
Speaker 7: Adam. And then he made Eve.
Speaker 5: His goal was to be a man.
Speaker 7: Woman marriage.
Speaker 2: So what has.
Speaker 7: Happened? You know, Adam and Eve ate the fruit and.
Speaker 2: Sin entered the world.
Speaker 5: Okay, so.
Speaker 2: So then we come to Sodom and Gomorrah. Well, God's view.
Speaker 5: Of homosexuality is.
Speaker 7: An abomination.
Speaker 5: And what you know, because they didn't repent. They were destroyed. And so we see throughout the whole Bible that. That God condemns it. So then we've we've got America. We've created America.
Speaker 2: Most of our founding fathers. Were believed in the Bible.
Speaker 5: They wrote all these wonderful.
Speaker 2: Things the Declaration of.
Speaker 5: Independence, the Bill of Rights, etc.. Okay. So, you know, I would say most of the citizens were God fearing people at the time. Well, our society has changed a lot.
Speaker 7: Now as far as marriage is concerned.
Speaker 2: If you look at all the states that have.
Speaker 5: Voted.
Speaker 2: For homosexual marriage, it's not been the people. The people have not voted on it. Here in California, twice we put on the initiative.
Speaker 5: To have a marriage between one man and one woman. And it got shot down twice. And so it's not that the people have voted for it. It's that our courts are judges, our legislators. Everyone has catered to. That lifestyle. And I when I heard that.
Speaker 2: All of you council people voted for same sex marriage, I was ashamed. I could not believe it.
Speaker 5: Well, yet I couldn't believe it because I know what kind of influence we have here. But. And then we've got the Supreme Court that totally went against God's law.
Speaker 2: I will say one thing that, you know, the Supreme Court, they can.
Speaker 5: Do.
Speaker 7: Whatever they want to.
Speaker 2: But marriage was.
Speaker 5: Created by God.
Speaker 2: And he's the only one that can change it. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you so much. New speaker, please.
Speaker 1: Good evening. My name is James Sweitzer. I live in the third district resident. I actually was not planning to speak tonight. I came to catch up on emails after my four week absence. But I think in light of some of this conversation turning into all Flags Matter conversation, and I think a lot of the other commenters being the perfect example of why this item needs to be discussed and why we need to. I mean, I'm so proud of all of you for even entertaining. This, I think, speaks volumes to it. And I think that I want to let you all know personally. I'm trying without crying. What kind of message you're sending? I don't want to do that with the story. Sunday morning on June 12th, I woke up, um, actually very now when we sit back very early morning on June 12th, I was at a bar with some friends and waiting outside after the bar had closed at the entrance on the street and talking to people and enjoying the space and the freedom that I had there. And to wake up the next morning and find out that the same people who were doing the exact same thing I did were not alive at that same time. It was terrifying. And I remember I couldn't even consider going on social media. Friends that invited me to come out here and join the amazing community out here at Harvey Milk Park. And I honestly wasn't ready for that. As somebody who's gone through so much trials and tribulations and contemplating my own suicide at the age of 16 and struggling with my own identity, not only just as a gay man, as a gay man of color. It was terrifying. And the first time, two weeks after that night, going back to a gay bar and a gay bar because it's a safe space for me to be and be myself and seeing other people and especially people of color and seeing that rainbow flag. I cried. I cried. And to be able to see that and to know that I can look at the American flag and say, that's beautiful. Because as some of these speakers said, that represents everybody. Everybody, whether we're disabled, able bodied, whether we come from where people of color, whether we whatever, regardless of our income, that represents everybody . But the message that you all are sending right now by saying whether it's until we have equal rights nationwide or whether it's just for 30 days to see that everybody is beatable. But right now, we need to care for the specific people in the LGBT community because they are hurting. And I agree with our speaker. If there is a Black Lives Matter flag, let's play that, too, because right now there is a lot of hurt and a lot of hurt right here, not just in our nation, in the world, but in our own community. And I'm so proud of all of you for entertaining this. And I would just encourage you so much. To you know, I know you're for the study, but to really consider this is a very important item for our community. So thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you next week for please.
Speaker 10: Hi. And it's Tom Stout. Information on file. I'm not really.
Speaker 6: In favor of this ordinance. The bottom line, I think the three flags that are displayed there are what should be displayed at public buildings. Now.
Speaker 10: You do fly the pride flag. You see it all over Long Beach. It's flown during the Gay Pride Month.
Speaker 6: That's fine. But I don't think there.
Speaker 10: Are enough flagpoles for every group that wants to fly a flag at any public building. Maybe you should get one of the RDA properties that you're giving away anyway. And let's make it a flag park and you can fly whatever flag you want there with, you know, certain exceptions. So what do you think? Let's use an RDA proper. You're giving them away anyway. What the hell? All right. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And the other public comment synonym closing public comment. Back to the council. Councilmember Pearce.
Speaker 5: First turn on my mic. I want to thank everybody. Literally everybody that came and spoke tonight. I want to be reflective. You know, we heard a lot about other community members that might have been left out of this this flag discussion. And to be clear, members of our LGBTQ community are members of every part of our community. They're veterans. They are Christians. They they're African-American. They are cover every single part of our community. But there are small minority still that still has been struggling every day. And I want to thank James Swasey for sharing where you were and how you were feeling when lives were lost. Since 2010, we've had over 150 hate crimes on the LGBT community that made national news. And that's not including what happens in our streets. That is not reported. And that is, again, one of the reasons why I brought this item up, thinking about the state of our country and the fact that we lost lives in Orlando, 49 lives, 53 wounded. It is a time that I think sometimes we feel that we have made a lot of strides, but we haven't quite gotten there yet. So I want to thank everybody for the fruitful discussion on the study, which I look forward to staff coming back, and I would like to ask that council members reconsider their friendly amendments. We had some requests from the audience around flying the flag for 30 days or some shorter period of time, preferably 30 days until that study does come back. Would you be open to that?
Speaker 0: Okay. So I wasn't here when the friendlies were done. So there's a motion in a second. Who was there? A friendly member. Okay. Council member. Supernova.
Speaker 6: Thank you. And thank you to the speakers, Elaine James and to Porter. I think Porter introduced the 30 day window and by my friendly amendment I someone used the word divisive and that's all I was trying to avoid. So we wouldn't have this here tonight. But it was inevitable to go to a study I think is is make sense. I guess what I had question was flying the flag and then tell the point we have a study and then what if the study has the wrong result, then you have to take the flag down. So I like the concept of having the flag up for a limited time. 30 days is fine and then it comes down and then we go to a study. So that's if, if I could revise my friendly, I guess that's what it would mean.
Speaker 5: Q Thank you.
Speaker 0: Okay. So the there's a, from what I understand, correct from wrong because it wasn't here. The friendly amendment is to do a study on the flags that are we currently have as far as inventory of what we fly with possibly looking at what we should be flying is that that right and then 30 days for the pride flag. Okay. Yeah. Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 3: So I really I appreciate the discussion that we're having. I'm a little bit I don't quite understand the 30 days. I mean, the idea of taking the flag down once we hang it to me seems. I don't know. I think I would have a really hard. If we're going to fly the flag, let's fly the flag. I don't I don't understand the concept of hanging it for 30 days and then taking it down. It's not even, in my opinion, unless I'm missing something. This 30 day period isn't even. Coinciding with anything else, a message or a reminder? I don't know. I just I feel like putting it if that is what will make people happy, that's fine. I just don't know the wisdom of that. Wouldn't it be better for us to establish a flag policy, determine what consistent methodology we're going to use to hang flags? And and I really appreciate James's comments. I mean, they they really they they're very touching. And he says, well, you know, if this organization wants it to hang their flag, too, that that's fine. I mean, I actually really like that philosophy is that I don't think we should be saying no to anybody. I mean, women I'm sure there's women who think we need equality. I'm sure there's people of color who think we need equality. And they might come in next week and say, you know what, we want our banner or we want some symbol of our fight and our struggle hung up there, too. And then we don't even have any sort of guidelines right now. We can't even justify what we would say is we're going to hang this flag for 30 days because our colleague brought the item forward and your request alone isn't enough. But if you can get a council person to bring the item forward, then we'll fly your flag for 30 days. I just I don't want to set that kind of precedent. I respect this honestly. The concern that I had when this came forward is, is how do I express my real concerns without it being misinterpreted? And I know a lot of my colleagues feel the same way. The concern is that tomorrow, if an organization comes and says, you know what, my husband's a veteran, and when I was talking about this item with him, he said, you guys should hang the you know, do you have something out there for veterans? And I said, gosh, I don't know. But it was like the slippery slope, like we could we could end up having 20 flags out there. If we are like I, I genuinely appreciate and love the diversity of my community. I love it. But we cannot be in a place where we're hanging everybody's flag because we just we can't we have to have some sort of limit. We represent everybody. And the most inclusive way to represent everybody is through the flag of the United States of America. That's how we represent everybody. So I'm not saying I'm not saying let's not hang other flags. I'm just saying let's have, you know, a method by which we decide. And, you know.
Speaker 2: If if.
Speaker 3: We've hung the flag before on multiple occasions, but they've always coincided to some sort of message. I just I'm missing the message. But again, I want to listen from my colleagues on this. If it's something that people feel strongly that that there's something to that 30 days, I will say I think that.
Speaker 2: Our.
Speaker 3: Our actions should mean something. In regards to our commitment to this community, I think our actions should mean something. I know that I represent a district that has in the past not been very active at all in these efforts. And yet for the last two years, I have participated in, supported, done everything that I can to support the community. And I don't want my concerns about allowing one flag because it opens the door for others to be misinterpreted, to mean something that it doesn't. I think our actions should mean something. We live in a beautiful, diverse city with a gay mayor. Turns out he's gay and he has done a great deal for to educate every single one of us, teach us about everything, include us. And so much he's been so inclusive in allowing us to be a part of his community. And I respect that and I appreciate that. It's made me a better person. I think we should be, as a city, judged by our actions. And the other concern that I have is the way that the agenda item was written. I respect it, I appreciate it. I don't think we as a government entity should be hanging flags or banners in some sort to send some sort of a political message for a fight for equality. Because there are so many organizations and and people that deserve equality. There are so many disenfranchized people in America. We live in a beautiful country. We have a land of opportunity. But we really should be we should be in a position that we say yes to every group that wants that fight for equality. And if we're going to do that, then it's it's we're opening it's a slippery slope. And that's my concern. So I just I have a concern. Yeah. It might be easier thing tonight would have been for me to say, all right, 30 days, let's do it. But. What? What is the meaning of the 30 days? I guess that's just what I don't understand. Why? 30 days? Because we were just told the report's not even going to come back for 30 days. So we're going to take the flag down and 30 days with no report. I don't quite understand that thinking, but if somebody can help me understand that again, I'm I'm I'm more supportive of the community and the message and the fight then, then I can express in my words. And if it takes me voting for a flag to go up for 30 days and come down in 30 days to prove that, then, then I'll do that. But I would hope that my actions would would mean more than putting up a flag for 30 days.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 8: Thank you, Mayor Garcia. And so I would I would say that, you know, I was I was I listened. It was my first first time in the hot seat. And I listened. I was, you know, front and center and listened to all of the testimony. And some stuff did stand out. To me, particularly, James, was those comments when he said, you know, a conversation about a single proposal turned into an all like all all flags matter conversation. And that did resound to me because before rushing to and I'm guilty of as well, I also, you know, I threw in the interfaith flag and all those things because I was approached with that over the course of the last week. But I think there you know, there is something to say there about when you step forward to say here is one community that has a certain circumstance and we are in the middle of a fight. Let's talk about this fight. Not all the fights right now. We can study and talk about all the fights that it may actually make sense to me. So if a colleague were to come forth and say, here's an issue that I sincerely care about, I want our council in our city to acknowledge it for a period of time. I also acknowledge all of these other things, and I'm inclusive of those as well. But I'm asking for a special acknowledgment. Hearing that and putting that perspective. I think the compromise proposal by Porter does make sense. Now, that came from public comment. Now, the distinction is what I heard. What I heard from from the public comment was, you know, acknowledge the request by flying it over the course of the study. It didn't say 30 days. It said over the course of the study. And that makes that make sense to me along the lines of, you know, the thinking that Councilmember Price said. So I could I could understand I could actually support that, because it does make sense. We're acknowledging the request, and we are also why we go through the process of evaluating our flag policy, looking at, you know, all the groups that made these requests because frankly, you know, certain issues, you know, it's very passionate to a lot of people. And we do have a job as a city who cares about tolerance and cares about diversity and values, differences. We do have a job to look at all of them. So I would just say I'm going to be supportive of the motion. I would hope that it actually just it just aligns with a study to where we fly it until we make a decision as the full council on what our flag policy is. So that's my hope. And it's not a friendly I'm just throwing it out there. That's where I think where where I think this conversation should go. Thanks.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilwoman Gonzales.
Speaker 7: Again, I'll just reinforce, you know, I think this was a really good, fruitful discussion. I think, you know, as much as we want to, of course, see what the flag study will bring, which is something that we will certainly do. I think that is very important knowing that we have a new civic center coming up. But I will agree, I think in the interim, there's always going to be there's always going to be a demographic that needs our our support. And I think that if there's any demographic here in the city, of course, certainly veterans I'm a granddaughter of a World War Two veteran. That doesn't make me any less caring for veterans. We fly the veteran flag. We fly the American flag. I have the American flag of my grandfather's grave sitting on on my in my mantle at my parents house, care much deeply about that. But I think also there's you know, if if there is a council member that is raising a concern. You know, we can't address it for that meantime. And so I think it's important that we at least address this. I don't think it's unreasonable to say that we will be flying this as council, as Vice Mayor Rex Richardson said for a short period of time, until we can decide what the flag pole study will bring and then hopefully bring a policy back that will be very solid. And so we can move forward from there and decide from there what we need to do. And maybe there's more flags that could come of it. Maybe we take some flags out. I don't know what that discussion will bring, but at least we'll have some sort of information. So I hope people can be a little bit more open minded. And, you know, the disrespect that I've been hearing out there, especially from Larry, you know, it's really it's really bad when you hear that type of disrespect, especially with such sensitive issues. It's really disrespectful. And I know you come here every every day, every Tuesday. But to hear things in light of, you know, what people have shown is concerns. I would just ask for your respect in that sense. So thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Pearson.
Speaker 5: Well, first I have to say, I didn't think my first agenda item would be a flag. We were talking about flagpoles for an hour. So thank you guys for sticking out with us and going through this conversation. I want to just get some clarity because Vice Mayor Richardson, you had made a comment about keeping it up. Was that a. Because right now we have a friendly amendment for 30 days. Sure.
Speaker 8: So you're just point of order. You're in control of the motion. It's your motion to accept it, to recommend the friendly as a recommendation to change it. And I just simply said the recommendation from Porter, what he said was to go ahead and fly the flag through the course of the study that I think I would support . It's ultimately in your hands there.
Speaker 5: What?
Speaker 0: Porter actually went second because the city attorney wanted to say something.
Speaker 9: Just a slight correction to the vice mayor. The motion now is the motion of the floor. It's been made in a second and it's been amended. And so anybody could make either offer a friendly or a substitute motion. At this time, it's not controlled by the maker anymore because it's now been accepted. And it's it's a motion of the floor.
Speaker 0: And do you want a city attorney? Do you want to read the motion on the floor just so that everyone's clear?
Speaker 9: As I understand it, the motion on the floor is to request city manager to conduct a study regarding the flags at the Civic Center and that the flag would fly for a 30 day period.
Speaker 0: Okay. That's the current motion on the floor. Back to Councilmember Pearce.
Speaker 5: Okay. So that's a commotion on the floor. I'd like to accept that motion. Yes. I ask for your support.
Speaker 0: And you mean you're going to. That's the motion that's on the floor that you support, right? Okay, perfect. Hey, everyone. Everyone has a first couple of weeks, so, you know, we got to make sure that we go over this stuff some time, so. Great. So just so just to be clear, Councilmember Pearce, is that there's a motion on the floor which is to do a study asking management and then to also fly the pride of flight for 30 days.
Speaker 5: Councilmember Pearce. Sorry, I want to get clarity how I think that I've heard from a couple of the council members that we don't want to be in the situation where we're taking the flag down. Sorry. We're we're in that process of taking it down with it. Require a vote. Could we? Is it only 30 days and then it removes that. Okay. It's only 30 days. Are you okay with that? I would prefer to stay up through the course of the study.
Speaker 8: That was that.
Speaker 1: Okay, let me just.
Speaker 0: Actually, no, no, no, no, no, no. Actually, hold on. The only person that has a flaw is cancer fighters.
Speaker 5: I would like to go ahead and request that the friendly amendments that we remove the friendly amendments. Yes, that.
Speaker 0: So who made this? Who made the friendly amendment?
Speaker 9: Council member.
Speaker 5: Anon, I remember you guys when you were first new to.
Speaker 2: Yeah, of course.
Speaker 0: That's okay.
Speaker 2: Still. Still?
Speaker 5: Yeah. So the original motion I would like to ask you withdraw the friendly Daryl Mr. Supernova council membership and all that way we don't have to be in a situation where we're taking the flag down.
Speaker 9: If the if the friendly is removed and the motion is to conduct a study in the flag would not be flown at this time.
Speaker 5: That's not what my original.
Speaker 9: Original motion said, that you wanted to fly it until there was, I believe, sorry, recognition at the federal level.
Speaker 5: Yeah. Okay.
Speaker 0: Okay. Actually, guys from the audience, please be respectful.
Speaker 5: Thank you. What I would like is the study to be done, and I would like for us to raise the flag until the study is complete.
Speaker 0: Okay. So there's a motion. There was a second on that motion, I'm assuming from my thing was Councilwoman Gonzalez, is that right? Okay. Is is. Is that fine, Dulles? Okay. So the motion is to go forward with the study. And until when the study is complete, we'll fly the fly the flag until the study is complete, basically.
Speaker 9: Thank you. And Vice Premier, that technically is substantive motion because the original motion has been now amended. There was no withdrawal the second.
Speaker 0: But. But can you substitute yourself?
Speaker 9: Yes, you can.
Speaker 0: Okay, great. That's. That's we learn something every day.
Speaker 1: Okay, so.
Speaker 0: So there's that. We have a substitute motion on the floor, which is to do do a study and to fly the flag until the study is complete. That's from what I understand where we are right now.
Speaker 5: Thank you.
Speaker 0: Okay, Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 8: I'm good.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Okay. Okay. Not to throw everybody.
Speaker 2: Sorry, everyone.
Speaker 0: No problem. Okay. Councilmember Superman.
Speaker 6: I just have to go on record as saying that I brought forth a friendly amendment based on what the speakers said, and that is what has been rejected. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Okay. And I just want to make one comment before the vote. Not that I want to add more work to the city manager, but I know that and I wasn't here for the whole conversation. But something that that's important to me that other cities do is other cities, when there's actual private development that happens, they actually require the United States American flag to be flown on private commercial development or large developments. I don't think we have that in Long Beach. And it's something that I even believe the city of Los Angeles does, where you fly the American flag when there's other large private developments. So can we look at those those policies when it relates to the United States flag? Separate of this flag conversation. But for because I think that would be great if we could do that. Okay. Okay. Any other conversations about this? Okay. So there's a motion and a second on the floor. Members, please go ahead and cast your votes.
Speaker 2: Motion carries.
Speaker 0: Motion carries. Thank you. Next up, we're going to go ahead and do item number. 13.
Recommendation to request City Manager to have the LGBTQ Pride flag fly every day at city hall to show support for the LGBTQ community here in Long Beach and nationwide until the LGBTQ community has equal rights nationwide.