Rainbow Pride Flag Will Fly Above Rye City Hall

RYE, NY — On Wednesday, the Rye City Council approved a measure calling for a rainbow flag to fly over two municipal buildings in June to celebrate pride month.

Concerns that displaying the symbol of LGBTQ+ pride on city property could open Rye up to legal challenges from special interest groups slowed the resolution, which was finally passed on Wednesday night. Lawyers for the municipality worked to craft the language of the resolution to insulate the city from legal challenges from groups that might try to use the flying of the flag to demand equal time on the flag pole for their own messages.

“We have been gathering First Amendment issues since last June and started seeking potential counsel on these varied issues, including flag-raising in January,” Mayor Josh Cohn said at the public hearing. “Ultimately, we hired counsel to respond to all our areas of inquiry for $10,000... This has been in the works for some time. And I’m glad we are where we are today, in a position to vote to raise a flag or two after the proper diligence and advice from counsel.”

The mayor said city officials were especially concerned about a Boston case in which the city was forced to defend itself in court after raising a pride flag, but declining a request to raise an anti-gay Christian group’s flag on public property.

"Knowing the Boston story, Rye sought legal guidance so we could both support the LGBTQ+ community and protect Rye's taxpayers from an unnecessary burden,” Cohn added. “We are delighted that this outcome achieves both these important goals.”

The vote will allow the pride flag to be raised over city hall and the recreation center for the entire month of June.

The measure was pushed for primarily by younger members of the community. Councilperson Sara Goddard, who was the only member of the council not to vote to retain First Amendment counsel at the April 21 meeting, acknowledged the power of this youth movement.

“I do want to acknowledge the tenacity and courage of our young citizens for their advocacy and for remaining steadfast in their desire to see a Pride flag raised and flown,” Goddard said. “We have much to learn and admire in them.”

In the end, the councilmember was convinced to vote in favor of the measure. The resolution passed unanimously.