There has been a lot of outrage over the mayor’s decision to fly the pride flag during June. People seem angry and afraid. I suspect many simply don’t understand the meaning behind the whole Pride Month issue.

First what it isn’t — it isn’t a recruiting tool! Gay people don’t recruit anybody, you’re thinking of churches. Churches go door to door looking for new people — gay people don’t. Fifty years ago at the Stonewall Inn in New York there were riots for three days. Gay people were tired of being beaten, arrested and harrassed. Fifty years ago they fought back.

And that was the start of “gay pride.”

I’ve heard people talking about “fair” in regards to the flag. Fair? Most states have no protection for LGBT people, meaning people can be (and are) fired from a job simply for being gay. People can refuse to rent a home to gay people. Agencies are allowed to refuse to adopt children to gay people. And until seven years ago I couldn’t marry. My wife and I spent a lot of money on estate planning to take care of legal issues that straight couples take for granted.

I’ve also heard people talking about how the American flag is enough — after all, it represents everybody. Does it? It didn’t represent me when I was kicked out of the Army. For what? For being gay. No other reason.

You say you want a “straight pride” flag? Be glad you don’t need one! The pride flag is a symbol, for people to come together after dozens are murdered at a gay nightclub and other hate crimes that happen on a regular basis, it represents pride and unity for the LGBT community.

Maybe when the hate goes away we won’t need it anymore!

Catherine North

Federal Way