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THANKS FOR BEING HERE! THERE WILL BE A BIG BEAUTIFUL PRIDE CELEBRATION AT HB PIER PLAZA ON MAY 21, 2023 11 AM BEFORE HARVEY MILK DAY (and every Sunday leading up to it)
PLEASE SEE MY MESSAGE BELOW ABOUT WHY HB NEEDS THE LOVE RAINBOW   
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 all three meetings it was voted on, and my child even made a comment at the city council meeting on 2/21. Like us, Iâm sure you are also disappointed in the motion to adopt this ordinance in spite of our combined efforts.
Many public comments included the sentiment, âyou are free to fly the pride flag on your
person, just not on city propertyâ 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-youâs in the 1.5 hours I was there⌠But as I approached the street in order to wait for my ride, the harassment began.(TW: child harm, hate speech)
Someone commented that âwe didnât need it [pride] on city propertyâ. Behind my back, someone else yelled out âfa**otâ. Then a man with an Alex Jones shirt and âF**k Bidenâ 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 wasnât being honest. I refused to talk to him and made an attempt to move to the other side of the sidewalk. He pulled out a whiteboard and wrote âMental Illnessâ 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 child genital mutilation, and accused me of child s*x abuse. He engaged others in his heckling, announcing that âshe thinks men belong in the womenâs bathroomâ. To my horror, some residents pointed, laughed, and agreed with him loudly. It was painful. After 20 minutes, two men and a dog 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. Weâre-going-to-make-a-giant-rainbow-on-the-pier big. Weâre going to show the homophobic, vocal minority that Huntington Beach DOES love the LGBTQ community! And I need your help!!!
Hereâs 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 âcasualâ representation are 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, and 5/14/2023. THE BIG DAY TO REALLY SHOW UP IS MAY 21st!!!! That day we will have speakers and a celebration party
And weâll dress the pier up like the gift that LGBTQ+ is! Itâs time to bring pride to HB! LETâS 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⌠any and all are welcome if you support LGBTQ rights!!
DONATE TO THE GIANT FLAG FUND: Itâs going to cost just about $300 if I can make the sale price of $3.99/yd!
(After the event flag will be donated to LGBTQ Center OC)
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