Giant Pride Flag for Huntington Beach

UPDATE 3/25! THANK YOU SO MUCH! FUNDS TO BE WITHDRAWN TODAY and materials will be purchased!!! Follow the money: I'll keep the Facebook event updated with all receipts!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1148506852485964/?sfnsn=mo&mibextid=DcJ9fc

Hello,

My name is Ashley Williamson. My family and I are a part of the LGBTQ community and we live in Huntington Beach. As you know, the HB city council majority recently created an ordinance that prevents the flying of the rainbow pride flag in June at the pier, library, or city hall. I made comments at all three meetings it was voted on, and my child even commented at the city council meeting on 2/21. Like us, I’m sure you are also disappointed in the motion to adopt this ordinance despite our combined efforts.

Many public comments included the sentiment, “you are free to fly the pride flag on your person, just not on city property” so this last Sunday 3/12, I put that idea to the test. From 11 am until 1 pm I stood in front of the Main Street city flag poles with a full-size Progress Pride flag and let it wave. I smiled and greeted anyone walking onto the pier. A few people took pictures of me, I got some high-fives and thank-you’s in the 1.5 hours I was there… But as I approached the street to wait for my ride, the harassment began.

Someone commented that “we didn’t need it [pride] on city property”. Behind my back, someone else yelled out “fa**ot”. Then a man with an Alex Jones shirt and “F**k Biden” hat approached me to ask what my flag meant. Judging by his clothing and the Joe Biden doll hanging on a noose from his backpack, I knew he wasn’t being honest. I refused to talk to him and attempted to move to the other side of the sidewalk. He pulled out a whiteboard and wrote “Mental Illness” with an arrow and proceeded to follow me around, getting in my face even as I tried to walk away.

He said the worst and most cruel things to me. He cawed after me about child r*pe and genital mutilation as well as accused me of child s*x abuse. He engaged others in his heckling and, to my horror, some residents pointed, laughed, and agreed with him loudly. It was painful. After 20 minutes, two men successfully shut him down and got him to leave me alone when they asked if I wanted to pet their pup (Cher)… I am forever grateful to them. My ride was coming so we hugged and parted ways.

The troll saw this and again got in my face to say to me that pride means nothing, I am nothing, and nothing I do will make a difference. But he is so, so very wrong.

I will be back to carry the Progress Pride flag. I will be there every Sunday from 11-1 until the day before Harvey Milk Day, May 21st. On that Sunday, the pride flag is going to get big. REALLY BIG. We’re-going-to-make-a-giant-rainbow-on-the-pier big. We’re going to show the homophobic, vocal minority that Huntington Beach DOES love the LGBTQ community! And I need your help!!!

Here’s how: IF YOU CAN, PLEASE SHOW UP!! 11 am-1 pm at the Pier Entrance on Sundays. Wear rainbows and stand out! This is a demonstration of love- we will not engage in hate! The dates for this “casual” representation are 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, and 5/14/2023. THE BIG DAY TO SHOW UP IS MAY 21st!!!! That day we will have speakers and a celebration party <3 And we’ll dress the pier up like the gift that LGBTQ+ is! It’s time to bring pride to HB! LET’S SHOW THEM WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!!

SHARE--> Spread the word to friends and allies! Reach out to your church, D&D club, or roller derby team… all are welcome if you support LGBTQ rights!!

DONATE TO THE GIANT FLAG FUND--> It’s going to cost just about $300 if I can make the sale price of $3.99/yd.

-->Lastly, drink water, love hard, and keep fighting the good fight. Together we can achieve great things!!!