In response to the letter regarding the gay pride flag (Record-Bee, June 20), I have a few words: research what you are talking about.
First of all, I don”t know if anyone told you, but this is a free country. I know that many leaders of our country wish this wasn”t true, but it is, so deal with it. If people want to be gay, so be it. It is their decision to make, and not anyone”s business to chastise.
Gays and lesbians have been fighting for years for their own rights. They created a flag in 1978, a rainbow flag. This has been flown at many gatherings and has been observed for years as the gay pride flag. It is officially recognized as their flag by the International Congress of Flag Makers.
The flag on the front of the Record-Bee on June 19 was just one of many versions. The stars and stripes show that they are proud gay Americans. I, for one, applaud them for it.
It all comes down to this, there are many kinds of prejudice, and last week”s letter has exemplified one of the worst. Was the letter writer upset because their flag looks like his, and the men of this country are fighting for it everyday? Because so are the gays and lesbians, and just because their wars are with words and not with guns, it doesn”t make them any less American.
They have the right to be American, gay, and proud, and you have the right to accept it.
Amy Collins
Lakeport
