Anonymous Resident Petitions the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to Take Down Their Pride Flag

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors recently proclaimed June 2019 as Pride Month. I didn't notice it until it was referenced today, but part of that proclamation included the BOS raising the Pride Flag outside of the Johnson County Administration Building.

I might not have noticed, but somebody else did! One of the Johnson County Board members posted earlier today on Facebook the content of an anonymous letter to the BOS that pushed back against the county's Pride Flag:

I am requesting that the "Pride Flag" currently flying over the Johnson County Administration Building be removed immediately. I commend the fact that the Board and its individual member support causes. I do not, however feel that it is appropriate for the Board or its members to project these causes on any, let alone all of their constituents. Flags flying over the County should include only that of the United States of America, the State of Iowa, and those that are Veteran related.

It should be recognized by the Board and its Members that flying a flag for a cause opens the door for demands to do the same for any cause, many of which you may not agree with. Being in a position of leadership requires the realization that not all share your opinions. Public perception is not uniform.

Sadly, some will view this request as condemning their cause; that not celebrating is just as bad as vigorously condemning. This could not be further from the truth. Not wishing to actively celebrate a lifestyle or have your leaders promote it is not analogous to opposing it. As elected leaders, acting with a mindset that if someone doesn't support an ideology or lifestyle then of course they want to abolish it, will only serve to create a ore divisive culture.

There's some truth to the letter. I honestly don't know if the Johnson County BOS displays any other flags that aren't connected to the state or federal government.

Additionally, the City of Decorah in northeast Iowa is currently grappling with the county's Republican party that is petitioning to line the streets with MAGA flags during the upcoming Fourth of July. And they're using the precedence of previous displays of Pride Flag displays to (unsuccessfully) justify their request. What's to stop a similar fight here?

The letter writer sent the email anonymously, for "fear of retaliation."