A “very irate individual” saw rainbow flags at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California and complained to the organizers about their association with the LGBT movement. So the fair took them down. The organizers say that “they were not making a political statement by… flying the flags or taking them down.” But how is taking down pride flags after a bigot complains not political?
randile
It is a shame a few can dictate the actions of the many. It is too bad the powers that be were spineless.
hf2hvit
How much you want to bet it was a TEABAGGER? And not the good kind…
Ronbo
‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’
Pete n SFO
Antelope Valley Fair? I guess I’m wondering who put the Rainbow flags up & how many? Whomever put them in place ought to have been prepared for push-back in a place like “Antelope Valley.”
I’m not in any way endorsing the complaint, or the removal… but if you’re going to make a gesture, think it through and be prepared.
Much like the last single complainer we heard about recently, that managed to hold an entire group hostage, I would have asked for a letter detailing the complaint for consideration in the future. Make’em own that bigotry, and in print, so that the ’emotion’ of the moment isn’t a factor. It’s a lot like asking the KKK to remove the sheet; all the bravado fades away.
B/c seriously, what IS the complaint w/ a Rainbow flag? It’s pretty. 🙂
Cam
Would they make all the women employees go home if an islamic cleric protested that they were out in public without headcoverings?
iDavid
Seems the guy who put up all kinds of different flags had no idea what the rainbow flag even meant. (Woah)
But taking them down did create a stir they are all dealing w in Antelope Valley which is way cool. Makes them take a look at themselves and how they will react to similar mishaps in the future.
xander
Outside major metro areas, I doubt the average Joe or Jane has any idea even what the rainbow flag represents. Someone who would complain about its display clearly has an ‘agenda’ that inspired him/her to complain.
FeFiFoFum, I smell the odour of a religious bum.
@Pete n SFO : Your idea is brilliant. Most people with complaints are loathe to specify the nature of their concerns. Hand them a form and they realise they don’t want to write out the true reason(s), nor do they wish to have their name attached.
Jakey
I hate when people say “I’m not making a political statement” and just kind of wish for that to be true. You can’t decide whether or not you’re acting in a vacuum, sorry.
Spike
What in GAY HELL are gays doing in Lancaster anyways?
Pamela Pliva
I live in the AV and the sad thing to me is that i can NOT find anyone willing to help protest this. I live here.. i spend my money here… how dare they removes the flags becuase of a compaint!! it would be nice to know that there were other out here an irate as I am. we do have a GLBT center but i hear nothing from them on this can’t even get a response to my email!
Shame on you AV to alienate a whole community. I had plans to attends at least 3 of the concerts.. That’s 6 admission (me and my gf of 8 year), and all the food and rides we would have purchase. You won’t be getting any of my money.
Sebizzar
@Pamela Pliva: Good job i wouldn’t go anymore either i mean i can’t believe they did that, that’s a huge WTF especially for a place in California! Please tell us if they put them back.
Jarrod Magness
If there was no intention behind the flags, that’s all there is to it. The administration at the fair should have declared as much to the irate callers and called it good. Why waste marketing dollars and dump the flags into the landfill in order to make a greater political statement than just sticking with the original plan? The only motivation has to be bigotry.
This shit, about not wanting to be aligned with the “gay agenda” is ridiculous. After all, what is the gay agenda? Peace, liberty, personal freedom. Get it together America; our founding fathers would be furious at the political state of affairs these days.
I lived in the AV for 20 years. I don’t know why on earth I subjected myself to that torment for so long. A large part of the community seems to be full of miserable fucks too preoccupied with declaring judgment on everyone around them to actually take a moment for self-reflection and growth.