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From: < Date: July 20, 2015 at 8:47:49, PM PDT To: <=ulido t�santa-ana.or > Cc: <dan.long cr miscoaudit.net> Subject: RAINBOW PRIDE. FLAG Your Honor, My name is Sean Thomas and although I am not a resident of Santa Ana, it is one of my favorite cities and one I visit often in my duties with a high profile OC non-profit organization. First let me say that I am openly gay. My spouse and I have been together for 43 years. We have been married for six years. Both of us have been involved in fighting for equality for all people for four decades. I was involved in the civil rights movement of the 1960's while a student at the University of Maryland. I am writing to you to say ....... ..1 doin't need a Rainbow flag to fly at City Hall ...... any city hall. I and all my brothers and sisters both gay and straight have a flag that flies over every city hall in this nation...... it is red , white and blue and it is filled with stars and strips. We are not a separate group of people; segregated from the rest of America. While the rainbow flag is a nice symbol of a movement it does not rise to the level of being flown to show inclusion., ....... LGBT people are included and we are no less Americans. if Councilman Tinajero and his son think that our efforts for equality have ended with the Supreme Court ruling on marriage they are mistaken. Not until we have employment (protection in the 39 States where being gay can be cause for termiiinabon or denial of housing, not until we have equal economic and social opportunities for LGBT seniors will we be close to fulfilling our mission toward equality. Finally, Kevin O'Grady does not speak for the entire LGBT community (here in Orange County. While I admire the work of the organization that he heads and am supportive of it, most of us in the LGBT community are educated people capable of voicing and supporting or own opinions. I am curious to understand what " powerful message " we would be sending to the cities in Orange County? Your Honor, I would suggest that the $7,500 to be used for the Rainbow Flag Project might better be utilized to support the homeless shelter being proposed in Anaheim. Please vote against this proposa'I. I like Councilwoman Martinez's suggestion: fly the Rainbow flag during Pride week and on Harvey Milk Day., Should you have any questions Ican be reached at 714 582-2228. 1 live and work in Brea .