Couple Says Gay Pride Flag Will Stay Up Despite Eviction Threat

OAK CREEK, WI -- An Oak Creek couple says they received an eviction notice in the mail from their landlord if they did not take their gay pride American flag down from their apartment.

Kevin Kollman and his partner, Merle Malterer, rent an apartment at the Country Oaks Apartments, located just south of Puetz Rd. and just west of Howell Ave. in Oak Creek.

According to a Fox 6-TV report, the couple said they have to take the flag down within five days or face eviction because flying the flag violates a condition in their lease that bans apartment residents from exterior decorating. Fox 6 also reported that the couple had to take down a Green Bay Packers flag in January over the same lease agreement issue.

According to a letter shared with and published in part by NBC News, their landlord reportedly stated that the: "tenant shall not, without permission, in the building rules or specific written approval of landlord, physically alter or redecorate the premises, cause any contractor’s lien to attach to the premises, commit waste to the premises or the property of which it is part, or attach or display anything which substantially affects the exterior of the premises or the property of which it is part."

In a New York Daily News report, Kollman said he's not going to be dissuaded by their landlord: “My big thing is this: I’m not going to be bullied at 52 years of age, neither is my partner. We’re not going to be told we’re not in compliance with our legal right under the First Amendment.”

In the same report, the apartment manager, Kenneth Bieck, said the flag had to be removed because "it's visible from the management office." Kollman and Malterer refused to take it down.