Simsbury Officials OK Flying Pride Flag At Town Hall

SIMSBURY, CT — Local leaders last week voted to recognize Pride Month, which is June, and approved flying the Pride Flag at Simsbury Town Hall that month as well.

But it wasn't unanimous.

The bipartisan 5-1 vote to fly the flag was supported by Democratic Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis, Democratic Deputy First Selectmen Steven T. Antonio and Democrats Diana A. Yeisley and Curtis Looney. Joining them was Republican Heather Goetz.

Republican Kevin Beal, however, was the lone dissenter on the board, which is controlled by the Democrats, 4-2.

Beal was a supporter of a motion recognizing Pride Month and supporting town initiatives to honor the LGBTQ community.

But, he said, he believed no flags, including the Pride Flag, should fly on the same pole as the American flag at Simsbury Town Hall.

"I think it is a great thing for the town to be inclusive and to recognize the sacrifices of past generations who weren't offered the ability to be included," said Beal.

"I have a personal opinion and I think there are others who share that, especially at town hall, the center of government, that the United States flag is the appropriate flag to fly, especially since it's the only flagpole there," Beal said.

Beal was outvoted by the rest of the board, so the rainbow-colored Pride Flag will fly at Simsbury Town Hall next month.

A flag-raising ceremony is slated there at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 3.

In unanimously approving the first motion, selectmen said they were "recognizing all LGBTQ+ members of our community whose influence, advocacy, and contributions to our neighborhoods make the Town of Simsbury a vibrant community in which to live, work, and play."

"We annually do this proclamation and we follow this with a flag raising at town hall in honor of Pride Month," Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said.

But the second motion, the decision to fly the Pride Flag at town hall, met with some resistance, albeit cordial, from Beal.

Democratic Councilman Curtis Looney said he understood Beal's opinion, but added he didn't think flying the Pride Flag below the American flag was disrespectful.

"I don't think it takes away from the American flag because we also have that flag out there. I think you can run both of them," said Looney.

During divided political times, the presence of the Pride Flag on municipal properties has been a hot-button issue in the Democrat vs. Republican culture clash.

Mackstutis referenced a situation in Enfield, for example, where the Pride Flag debate has been far more confrontational.

She said she didn't want that to happen in Simsbury.

"I've tried to avoid that coming here. This has been a nice event in town," Mackstutis said.

Beal had indicated he would support other ways to honor the LGBTQ community, such as banners and signs around town.

For the minutes of the May 13 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

From Jan. 9: 'Policy Enacted For Flag Displays On Town-Owned Buildings In Enfield'