VISTA TO FLY PROGRESSIVE PRIDE FLAG AT CIVIC CENTER

In a meeting that grew emotional at one point, Vista City Council members on Tuesday unanimously agreed to fly a Progressive Pride flag at the Civic Center throughout June as part of Pride Month.

Councilmember Corinna Contreras, grew up in Vista and is a member at large of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center Board of Directors, introduced the proposal and hinted that it was not always easy for her while growing up in the city.

“For me, it’s just saying, ‘Hey, I grew up in Vista and it’s...” she said, her voice trailing off as she choked up and suddenly fought back tears.

“It’s OK, it’s OK,” Mayor Judy Ritter said. “I know. It’s been tough, I know. We love you.”

Contreras’ reflection on growing up in the city and the perception it has become more accepting was similar to a statement made earlier in the meeting by a woman who said her two brothers are gay and had reservations about visiting Vista 30 years ago. Flying the flag in the city would go a long way to improving Vista’s image, she said.

Councilwoman Katie Melendez, also a member of the LGBTQ community, said flying the flag over the city’s building would be important for her.

“For this to be such a peaceful and joyful meeting, it makes me feel so at ease,” she said about the meeting, where no one spoke in opposition to the proposal.

Max Disposti, founder and director of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, also spoke at the meeting.

“Representations do matter,” said Disposti, who wore a “Love Makes a Family” T-shirt. “It matters to you as a council member. It matters to the people you serve in the community. It matters for the commissioners, the staff, and it matters to the people in the rest of San Diego County.”

Disposti said discrimination and hate against the LGBTQ community still exists in the county, and he noted that members of that community represent a disproportionate percentage of homeless youths whose families had rejected them.

The flag is a reminder that the city is standing up to protect everyone, he said.

Ritter said she had been leaning toward voting against the proposal because she felt government buildings should be pure and only fly the American, state and city flags, but she was swayed by Disposti’s description of the Progressive Pride flag as a symbol of unity.

“It is a unifying thing, and I think it will be OK,” she said.

City Councilmember Joe Green supported the idea and said every resident in the city should feel safe and protected, and Councilmember John Franklin said flying the flag would show the city’s value is to love all people and show that all people have dignity.

The City Council also passed a resolution that June was LGBTQ Pride Month in Vista, which it has done for the past three years.

The San Marcos City Council passed a similar resolution for the first time on Tuesday.

Allan Acevedo, director of operations for the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, appeared at the meeting and thanked the council.

“Proclamations like this at the local level mean so much, not just to us, but the youth that we serve,” he said. “And we thank you and are excited to continue to advocate on behalf of our community and continue to work with the city of San Marcos to advance equality, diversity and respect for all.”

Acedevo, who wore a Tshirt that said, “Support trans youth,” said there is a need to create more safe spaces for young people, especially those who are transgender, because they are under attack on many levels.

He also noted that the Pride at the Beach event in Oceanside that past Saturday had attracted 20,000 people.