Surprise
It certainly surprised me when the Atlantic Highlands borough administrator responded to a local resident who asked that the multi-colored flag LGBTQIA+ standing a few feet away from the American flag also be lowered to half-staff that he would have to check it out first.
Lower the Standard
The American flag was directed to be lowered by Governor Murphy on Friday to honor the death and memory of Superior Court Assignment Judge Lois Thornton Friday. Judge Thornton was even praised by Councilman Vito Colasurdo who appreciated her attention to him as a young and up and coming attorney. After the meeting, Councilman Jon Crowley told me “it’ll probably be lowered,” making light of the incident in trying to put it into perspective. That made the resident feel a little better.
Who?
But she wondered, who would the administrator be asking? Who ordered the flag, and the flagpole, in the first place? Who ordered the smaller flags to be flown on streetlights, once again, with our American flag? Whose permission did he have to ask in order to have a multi-color flag a few feet away from the American flag not still stand at the top of the pole while our nation’s standard bowed to honor a dead black woman, a smart, wonderful, kind lady and jurist at that.
I still wonder who passed the order NOT to lower that flag even an inch. Who passed the order to let that multi-color flag not be lowered so the people who ordered it, respect it, admire it, and for whom it stands could also show a smattering of respect for the sudden death of a great woman.
It would be hard for me to believe that the people who adhere to the standards of that multicolored flag do NOT want to respect a woman who fought against all odds, never complained, did not have a lot of support, yet managed to get to the top of her field, all the while gaining the respect and admiration of all with whom she came in contact.
LGBTQIA+
Looking further, research showed that LGBTQIA+ represents a diverse mix of people who are proud of whom they are. That’s wonderful and deserves respect. But why ever would people who are proud of that flag and what it stands for NOT want to respect a woman and her family at the time of her sudden death? Why would people who are proud of that flag and what it stands for NOT want to show the respect the Governor thinks is necessary for the nation’s standard?
These are questions that will never have answers. But they generate more.
More Questions
Who makes money from the LGBTQIA+ movement? In researching it does not appear to be any one organization. In New York, and elsewhere throughout the country, there are community centers that offer programming and events, have media coverage and press releases to get the news out about the LGBTQIA+ supporters.. That center even has photo and video galleries.
Acronym or Organization
Research showed what is easily recognizable. LGBTQIA+ is an acronym Nothing more, nothing less.
But it is also identified as an organization, essentially a group of people who have made a choice in self-identification and want others to acknowledge that identity. The acronym stands for someone with self-identification who wants you to focus on honoring that individual identity.
But LGBTQIA+ is not really an organization, let alone a 501.3C organization. Does this center, or any other like it, have volunteers to support their goals or are they paid personnel? Is any money poured into these centers other than through willing donations, bequests, or sales? Are there officers in charge and how do they get to be? For that matter, if Atlantic Highlands bought all the flags and anything else attached to the LGBTQIA+ symbol, do they even know the organization or private company that was the beneficiary of taxpayers’ dollars?
My Thoughts
Were it not for the lack of interest in protecting the flag that stands for all people, regardless of their organization or lack thereof, a researcher could feel sorry for people who feel that fitting into an acronym is the only way they want to be identified. For this researcher, a person’s mind, talents, generosity, willingness to help others, high work standards and respect for everyone who might not fit into any acronym are plenty and enough to have my respect, my support, and my friendship.
