HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 08 2025 Itrem 6.1 - Commemorative Flag - Jan Bernstein CharginCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Jan Bernstein Chargin
To:All Council Members
Subject:EXTERNAL - Support for the Pride Flag
Date:Monday, December 8, 2025 7:33:22 AM
I am writing regarding the agenda item 6.1, consideration of raising the Progressive Pride
Flag.
I support this application for the following reasons:
1) supporters of the action followed city procedures in submitting an application and securing
the required number of signatures.
There is no need for any other justification— we have a defined process, available to all, and it
was followed in good faith.
However, as someone who added my signature, I will tell you why I support this particular
flag.
The Progress Pride Flag signals that we are a safe community. It shows our community is
proud to BE a safe community for all of its residents. It does not replace the American Flag. It
emphasizes it.
There are people, especially young people, who are learning about themselves and about
society and feeling like maybe they are too different and will never fit in, or never have the
freedom to be themselves.
The Progress Pride flag tells them that we, their community, their neighbors, their home, are
here for them on this journey. That we want them to grow and thrive and be a part of this
community. It says “You matter. You are valued. You belong.”
They need to hear this because sometimes people tell them that they can never be accepted and
will never belong.
It doesn’t mean that every person likes and agrees with every other person or their choices— it
means that we make space for each other — even those who may be different from ourselves.
For those who may object to the ways other people live, or love, or express themselves, I
would argue that the Progress Pride flag says “There is space here for you too. And no one
here will force you to live, or love, or express yourself in a way that feels unnatural to you,
just as you wouldn’t do it to someone else.”
Anyone who finds this meaning distressing is always welcome to just see the rainbow, (God’s
promise) enjoy the colors, or look at something else entirely for the duration of the month.
Thank you for your consideration.
Jan Bernstein Chargin
(408) 843-8691