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Letter: Municipalities should not take sides in Pride politics

In his letter to the editor on June 26 pressuring Palatine Mayor Schwantz to fly the rainbow flag over the town hall, Drew King states: "In America, everyone has the right to maintain their own personal viewpoints on almost everything, which includes Mayor Schwantz. However, our elected officials have a sworn obligation to represent everyone in their community and the mayor's refusal to consider perspectives other than his own is an affront to everyone in Palatine."

First, the mayor has considered the LGBTQ+ perspective and has even issued a proclamation.

Second, elected officials should consider everyone but cannot "represent" everyone if that means doing what everyone wants, because people disagree. Not everyone can get their way.

Third, why should the city of Palatine promote the LGBTQ+ agenda by celebrating Pride Month? To be clear, Pride Month is not about people. Pride Month is about politics and power. It is about demanding that everyone approve and support the LGBTQ+ movement, which again is a political movement. However, not everyone in Palatine agrees with the agenda of the LGTBQ+ movement.

If we wish to live in free and diverse communities, we need to care about freedom of conscience and tolerance. People who are not aligned with the LGTBQ+ movement should not have their town taken over for political purposes one month every year.

If individuals want to hang a rainbow flag on their house, that is their prerogative. If businesses want to put a rainbow in their window, that is their prerogative. But the village itself should be neutral and not make proclamations for one side or another. When the village government becomes involved, it puts pressure to participate on those who would rather not. The village in a free society should protect its citizens and business owners from coercive pressures, not encourage them.

Mark Bodett

Wheaton

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