Pride Flag to Get June Date on Town Properties

Whether and when to display the rainbow/pride flag, often used as a symbol of the LGTB community, has been a subject of debate for many months in Franklin.

The question was further complicated when the Supreme Court chastened the City of Boston for allowing a range of flags to be flown on municipal property, but not the Christian flag.

That ruling suggested that only flags flying for an agreed and approved government purpose could be flown by municipalities without having to otherwise "open the flood gates" equally to all comers.

On that basis, the proposed legislation aligned the flying of the pride flag with June, which has been designated by multiple presidents, as a month to honor gays and lesbians initially and later the larger LGBT sector.

The hearing saw testimony from gay and transgender people in favor and a number of people opposed. One, Kyle Thompson, in lengthy remarks aimed against the measure, stated, "The American flag represents every American citizen in this town, state, and country. Along with the town flag and military flags that represent the men and women who fought and died to preserve our freedoms. If this initiative goes through, you are opening Pandora's box, any flag could be flown on municipal property, and they will, causing further division in this town. This is the Franklin community, not the LGBTQ community."

Rachel Plukas, was among those who countered the "Pandora's Box" analogy and defended the "pro" position.

After all those with an opinion were  heard, the Council voted, with few comments, 6-3 to allow the flag to be flown in June.