Rather than dig in to his position and swat away critics, he listened.įresno is California’s fifth-largest city and, perhaps surprising to those who look down their snooty noses at the Central Valley, the nation’s hottest housing market. Local Democrats weighed in with a statement extolling the flag raising as a way “to inspire hope and create a feeling of inclusion.” Local Republicans called the move “short-sighted and extreme.” Naturally, it turned into a partisan fight as well. And sure enough the 5-2 vote led to the very division the mayor had hoped to avoid. Throughout the country, fights over flying the pride flag have become a spring perennial, like crocuses, though far less lovely. Which other flags should be honored by the city? What about hoisting religious flags at the futuristic civic hub? When the Fresno City Council voted recently to observe LGBTQ Pride Month by flying the rainbow flag at City Hall, Mayor Jerry Dyer’s objection was not surprising.Ī Republican who loudly and proudly advertises his faith as a born-again Christian, the mayor expressed concern about the precedent the left-leaning council would set and the divisions it would cause.
