This morning I walked by Edmonds City Hall on my way to work and noticed the Pride flag flying over this public building. In Western Washington, the Pride flag is a common sight, but today, seeing it flying over our city hall, gave me pause. I asked myself a few questions. What is the role of Edmonds city government? What does it mean for our city hall to be a public facility? And how do we who love this community and affirm all of its residents work together for the common good?
Upon checking definitions, our new friend AI says the role of city government is to provide “basic services, promoting public safety, and facilitating local commerce within a city.” The Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) outlines 14 functions for city councils and eight functions for mayors. Nowhere does advocacy for specific social groups appear on either list.
Merriam-Webster defines public as “relating to, or affecting all the people or the whole area of a nation or state” and public also means to be “accessible to or shared by all members of the community.”
AI again offers a definition of the common good: “The term “common good” refers to the benefit or well-being of all members of a community or society. It’s a foundational concept in ethics, politics and social theory, often used to guide public policies, laws, and communal behavior.”
I belong to a fairly large group of people in Edmonds who believe that every human being is created in the image of God and has great worth. We also believe that God has established guidance in the Bible that defines his will for human sexuality. We affirm that his design for human sexuality is fulfilled in the context of marriage between a man and a woman. This does not mean we don’t like those with a different sexual identity. It does not mean we don’t have compassion for the suffering that they have experienced from others that is nothing less than shameful. The same God who guides our sexuality also calls us to love everyone. LGBTQ+ people are among our brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and friends.
We also recognize that not everyone in our community shares our perspective on human sexuality and a diversity of views is the privilege of living in a pluralistic society. We have a right to express our perspective, but ours is only one view among many within the marketplace of ideas. We can agree to disagree and still enjoy life together. What is proposed here is not some special recognition of my view, but rather that all views are shared on an equal basis. Viewpoint discrimination is unacceptable whether or not we agree with any particular opinion that is expressed.
Today, when I walk by my (and your) city hall and see the Pride flag flying, unlike the American flag or the Washington State flag, I am faced with the reality that it does not represent me. As a tax-paying resident of Edmonds, does my local government not represent me? Creating an unwelcoming environment by flying the flag of a specific social group based solely on sexual identity seems fundamentally wrong. I am a Christian, but I do not expect the Christian flag to fly over city hall. As a public building, city hall hosts our city government, which serves all citizens of Edmonds. It is a public facility that by definition is to be “shared by all members of the community.” But that’s not the way I feel when I see the flag. Rather than a symbol of inclusion, it is for me a symbol of exclusion. It doesn’t include me. And it doesn’t include thousands of other Edmonds citizens.
I was reminded of the line from George Orwell’s classic 1945 satirical novel Animal Farm, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Of all the flags that could be flown from our city hall, why is the Pride flag chosen to fly for a month? And whatever reasoning one offers for the selection of the Pride flag, would the same criteria also not apply to other identifiable social groups by race, victims of discrimination, affinity, association or even religion? This is a question of social justice. Does our city stand for justice for all in which every citizen and all groups of citizens are treated fairly or are some “more equal than others?’
Many of us have been working for the common good, specifically the common good of all citizens of Edmonds: regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. We see our city government as a partner in this work for the common good. As such we expect our elected representatives to support all citizens equally with the shared resources of our city government. If individuals and businesses wish to affirm specific groups or causes within our community then they should be encouraged to do so. Fly flags. Put posters in windows. Erect yard signs. But I don’t see how the mandate of city government includes the role of advocacy. Advocacy by city government divides rather than unites. And once advocacy is embraced, a group it advocates for today could be a group it advocates against tomorrow.
May I suggest to our Mayor and Council that we fly only those flags which truly represent all of us, namely, the flags of the United States of America and the State of Washington. If we choose to fly flags that represent specific social groups then we should be truly pluralistic and fly with equal time the flags of all legitimate groups that request representation. This would be true diversity, equity and inclusion.
Barry Crane lives in Edmonds and is also the senior pastor of North Sound Church.
This article is a helpful reminder to thank Mayor Rosen for honoring the separation of church and state and sending a message to our lgbtq community members that their inclusion in our community is not only welcomed, it’s celebrated. Thank you, Mayor Rosen and those on City Council for flying that big, beautiful rainbow flag. Love to see it!
YES! Chelsea
“But I don’t see how the mandate of city government includes the role of advocacy.”
I don’t see how city government includes mandating any particular religious view. And one might remind Mr Crane that he represents a specific dogma which is not shared by, for example, the Episcopal Church or the United Methodist Church, both well represented in our town.
Believe what you believe, but keep narrow denominational dogma out of government!
Mayor / City initially didn’t fly a pride flag, seems they’ve had a change of heart.
https://myedmondsnews.com/2024/06/no-pride-flag-flying-at-edmonds-city-hall-this-year/
Thank you Barry Crane, l agree
Pastor Crane is correct. The flag of the United States of America covers all people of this blessed nation. Flying any other is against what this Country was founded on. Celebrating is fine however let’s just stick with the original plan it’s worked so far.
While I appreciate the thought put into this letter, the writer missteps when he suggests the United Stated flag represents all of us. In an ideal world that may be the case but ask those under atrack by the current administration – from immigrants to the poor to anyone not straight and white, to women to, yes, the LGBTQ+ community, if they feel represented by the American flag and I think you’d find by and large the answer would be “We wish, but no.”
It is the state of our country that our leadership is dividing us – not a flag or a celebration of a particular group. And until those at the highest level of power work for EVERYONE, then there is power in all of us, from individuals to corporations to local government, to stand in support of those being atracked. Showing support for marginalized groups isn’t excluding others, it is inviting those who are being made to feel lesser to know they belong and are welcome. That is a huge role of our leaders. Those in DC are failing that, I’m glad those locally are not.
I think you understood when you saw that the city government “promotes city safety”. That flag represents keeping all types of love safe. PRIDE is loving everyone for who they are. Stop overstepping. Period. Full stop. Move on.
Cory, Barry Crane is not overstepping..he has a right to say what he believes as you do..don’t squelch that
Thank You Mike for so eloquently yet succinctly making your point.
Thank you for verifying why the Bridging the Gap discussions are happening this month, because this take is the opposite of inclusion.
The city hall should have only one flag flying on it-the US flag-The US flag is what many died for to have the freedoms we enjoy today-I remember Mr Rosen stating that Edmonds government was non bias in an My Edmonds News article-Many other cities have chosen not to fly that flag as it is a divider-the federal buildings do not fly it and Edmonds should not-The majority of people do not support gay pride and we have to put up with it for a month-Edmonds government should be a uniter-not a divider-I totally agree with Barry Crane and couldn’t say it any better-I live in Edmonds and also saw the flag on the building-one good thing is the trees outside of city hall are getting tall-so it is less visible
“The majority of people do not support gay pride ”
Source, please? Assertions are not facts.
So majority rule and ignore others. I think not. Segregation existed for decades because some people wanted all white work places, segregated schools and redlining. We are all the same here wanting loving relationships and acceptance.
“The majority of people do not support Gay Pride”.
There was a time not so long ago when black and Jewish people were explicitly excluded from homeownership in some parts of Edmonds; just because a majority holds a view does not make it right.
That is exactly why that flag is needed, to let ALL of our neighbors know they are seen and valued.
The US Flag, as well as the Washington State Flag, has not always represented all people living here. They still don’t represent inclusivity for all. I want all my neighbors to feel welcome and included in Edmonds, including at City Hall and by those in power.
Don’t forget that one of the original symbols of the fight for LGBTQ rights was a brick; a flag flying over city buildings should be a symbol of pride, not fear or hate.
When I know that you, as a pastor, welcome candidates who are running for city office to your services and encourage your congregation to vote for them, and then that candidate, when elected, brings you before the city DEIA commission and you get to say your piece, and you’re still not happy because the LGBTQIA+ folks haven’t been properly squelched, this is what I mean by taxing churches. Clearly the separation between church and state is very, very fuzzy here. And that’s troubling.
This article is unhinged and hurtful for the Edmonds Community, especially the LGBTQ community. I think you, Barry, need to take a deeper look at yourself, your faith, and the Actual teachings of Jesus Christ. Because what was babbled up there by you… is the exact opposite. Thank you Mayor Rosen for welcoming Everyone in Edmonds, and for helping the LBGTQ community of Edmonds feel Safe from hate and judgment… like the person who wrote this article.
While the desire to represent all community members equally is understandable, limiting flag displays only to those of the United States and the State of Washington may unintentionally silence or overlook the lived experiences of historically marginalized groups. The U.S. and state flags symbolize broad national and civic identity, but they often do not speak to the unique challenges or celebrations of specific communities within those nations. Pride flags, for instance, are not about exclusion—they’re about visibility. They represent a historically oppressed group that has faced legal discrimination, social ostracism, and violence. Raising a Pride flag during Pride Month is a gesture of recognition, not favoritism. It signals that the city acknowledges the humanity and dignity of LGBTQ+ residents, many of whom still struggle for acceptance and safety. The suggestion to fly “all legitimate group flags” equally may seem fair in theory, but in practice, it risks becoming a tool to diminish the visibility of groups who have fought hard to be seen. Not all identities have faced equal marginalization, and treating every flag as equal in impact or necessity erases the purpose behind acknowledging specific struggles. Moreover, equity does not always mean identical treatment; it means providing support based on need. Just as we don’t require a national holiday for every cultural or historical event, we prioritize those that have shaped society in particular.
Very well put!
“Pride flags…. represent a historically oppressed group that has faced legal discrimination, social ostracism, and violence.”
To which one might add a note from the New York Times:
“The New York Times reports: Southern Baptists plan to vote this week on acting to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage 10 years ago this month. The step is part of a growing effort by evangelicals nationwide to reverse Obergefell, and coincides with a renewed campaign in state legislatures to challenge the widely accepted.”
One looks hard to find any other group which stands to lose the right to marry.
Pastor Crane, with all due respect, the Pride flag isn’t a symbol of superiority, it’s a public witness that those once cast out, including by the Church, are finally being seen. As you’re probably keenly aware, Jesus didn’t avoid the marginalized to keep things ‘equal’, he sought them out, lifted them up, and reminded us that justice isn’t passive. If flying the Pride flag feels like favoritism, maybe it’s because we’re not used to seeing love extended where it was once denied.
If your god has an opinion about who should and shouldn’t be represented by flags, maybe he, she, or they should write their own letter and explain it. Or, better yet, they could show up at a council meeting and tell us why the rest of us should share their opinion. Until that happens, I say we err on the side of acceptance, inclusion, and support of people who have historically been abused, very often by followers of your god.
Pastor Barry – Most of the Edmonds citizens that are upset about this article will be upset about any flag that is not a pride flag flying on the city hall. It is their religion. This is not unhinged or hateful and happens to be very well written and thought out article.
Mayor Rosen can elect to leave the flag up all year long if it is that important to the people that are upset about this article.
“Most of the Edmonds citizens that are upset about this article will be upset about any flag that is not a pride flag flying on the city hall.”
None of the citizens I know! And you know this… how?
You clearly don’t know what the pride flag actually means. PRIDE is not a “social group” and you can do your more of your own online research about that. Seriously? AI? the same ding dong that thinks John Hughes wrote Say Anything?
Funny that you were the one to come to the DEIA commission and tell that group to “stay in [their] lane,” a sentiment I could appropriately pitch back to you right now. Instead I come with advice: 1. Maybe take a break from the internet for a while until you learn how to responsibly use AI. 2. Maybe redirect your energy toward having your buddies design a cute little flag for your buildings to make sure all the child abusers know they can come confess to you and you are excited to protect their secrets?
https://myedmondsnews.com/2025/04/reader-view-opinion-holy-week-and-the-legislature/
Mr. Crane – maybe you should reconsider your appointment on the Foundation for Edmonds School District.
Given your stated beliefs above you cannot represent the diverse needs of students in our district.
I call on Deb Brandi, Executive Director and the other Board of Trustees of the Foundation to re-examine the Foundation’s stated values and only have Trustees who truly align with those values.
Sad commentary on the current leadership of the Foundation.
I just wish religion writ large (all of them including Christianity) would just get
out of all our governments’ business; including this Pride flag nonsense. Your town has lots of problems and this isn’t one of them at all.
I saw the opinions in the article much less about the lifestyles and beliefs of LGBTQ+, or the race and practices any other group, but rather if any City Hall, a building whose purpose is to be the offices for non-partisan representatives, is the proper place for any flag that singles out any group.
It is unfortunate that there appears to be more divisiveness and intolerance in the comments than the article. I believe that most of the folks who have replied feel they practice tolerance towards everyone. I believe that tolerance must be taught by being truly tolerant of everyone.
When my mother came from another country to Seattle, she was discriminated against, to the extent that she and my father had to move to a different neighborhood. I was taught the 3 A’s.
1. I need to Accept everyone as a creation of God.
2. I do not need to Agree with everyone’s beliefs or ideology.
3. I do not need to Affirm their actions.
In turn, I do not believe anyone needs to Agree with me or Affirm me, but hopefully Accept me.
I do not see Barry’s questions and thoughts as not accepting anyone, or as phobic, but rather as asking the bigger question of how we can stop being divisive and instead be more respectful of each other.
Dan- I like your criteria and I invite Barry to deploy that thinking each time he feels compelled to submit his weekly letters to this publication then have his buddies complain about the comments.
What you don’t see is that we DO tolerate his mess. That’s why WE aren’t the ones writing letters complaining that he has beliefs that differ from ours. Everyone is of course entitled to their beliefs and that is (for now) protected speech but when you send stuff to this platform you are opting in to the feedback and healthy discourse. Enjoy! Or log off.
Embrace diversity especially in these times!
“I belong to a fairly large group of people in Edmonds….” – Me too! Seems like we have a lot of different groups of people in Edmonds with different values, beliefs, interests, and most of all, different religions.
I don’t believe in your god, your bible, your interpretation of right and wrong. Please stop trying to divide OUR city. As the saying goes, if you are against gay marriage, just say no when a gay person asks you to get married. No one is asking you to be gay, trans, bi, etc.
A few thoughts. The pride flag is mounted on a small bracket above the front door of City Hall. The City’s regular full-height flag poles are across the street on the corner of Veterans Plaza. One pole flies only the stars and stripes, the other one flies state and city flags.
Best to not get stressed out over small messaging flags temporarily installed on that little City Hall bracket. I expect if the VFW wanted to fly the black POW/MIA flag for a while, the mayor would be good with that also.
As to gay pride, when I was coming of age many decades ago, homosexuality was viewed like a social disease. Straight folks had to avoid or shun gays to avoid turning gay! In those days, few people understood that sexual orientation is an immutable part of everyone’s makeup, not something anyone chooses, one way or the other. Society has come a long way since the 1960’s, overcoming much ignorance and hate.
As to God, I expect He must love gay people since He made so many of them!
Well put Roger. My sentiments exactly.
Pride Month is celebrated every June to honor the LGBTQ+ community, its history, and the ongoing fight for equal rights. It commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ activism that sparked the modern movement for equality.
Throughout the month, cities worldwide host parades, festivals, and events to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, visibility, and achievements. While Pride is a time for joy and community, it also serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and the work still needed to ensure equality for all.
Members of this community are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, parents, friends, and family. Shame on those of you who criticize this small gesture of support for our friends and family who have been, and continue to be, judged, shunned, targeted, abused, and discriminated against. There are plenty of other issues to worry about and work together on improving. If you are focused on removing a small flag present during the month of June, then you need to readjust your priorities. And I will say it again – Pride is a time for joy and community regardless of orientation! That is something to truly celebrate.
I agree with you completely Barry. I appreciate you speaking out for many of us that feel this way.
I disagree with you completely Barry. I appreciate you speaking out because it’s a fundamental right of Americans to speak freely, but many of us do not feel this way. Like many Christians, you seem focused on gay sex when you think about LGBTQ issues, but not on the unequal and discriminatory treatment of fellow citizens. I bet if you focused on the inclusive message that the Pride flag represents, it might be easier to ‘love everyone’ as you say your God does. I’m proud that our community welcomes all of us and that the separation of church and state is still the law of our land.
Thanks for the good discussion all. I am closing the comments now. — Teresa