Pride flags stolen, replaced with Christian flags in San Jose neighborhood

What has become a recent tradition — residents in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood commemorating Pride Month by adding rainbow flags to crosswalks — is now under a cloud after the removal and replacement of the flags in some locations.

Pedestrians on Lincoln Avenue, who have the option of waving small orange flags to signal drivers that they’re crossing the street, additionally get to choose rainbow flags placed by volunteers for Pride Month.

Controversy came to the neighborhood this year when the pride flags disappeared overnight earlier this month. They were replaced by Christian flags a few days later.

“I’m definitely frustrated,” Realtor Holly Barr said. “I don’t know why anybody would take away the pride flags and replace them. If you want to add Christian flags, great. But taking (the pride flags) away is sending a message that your religion is exclusive, and that someone is wrong for their choice of who they love.”

Barr, owner of the Willow Glen Charm realty company, said different members of the neighborhood had provided the flag the past two years. She purchased them this year and grouped them with the orange flags on June 1.

The pride flags were gone the following day, she said.

Leslie Lang, a 19-year Willow Glen resident, said a member of the community had been vocal against the flag, but no one was sure who had taken them.

“It’s surprising considering the progressive place where we live,” said Lang, a stand-up comedian and Realtor. “Pride Month is one month. Can’t we just love everybody for 30 days? I don’t have any kids, but this sends a bad message.”

The community responded by putting up signs asking that the flags be returned, and members of the neighborhood replaced the ones that had been taken.

“This only became a thing when someone anti-gay made it a thing,” Barr said. “Those who are oppressed will continue to be oppressed unless we do something.”

Her sentiments were echoed on social media.

“First of all, isn’t there something in that Bible that says do no steal?” @SharonMurch tweeted.

“If you think us gays are over here in CA like, everything is great, we are so loved and embraced everywhere we go. You’d be wrong,” @judesb said.

Barr’s Willow Glen Charm Facebook page had a number of posts on the flag, spurring online debates.

“I loved when I worked in willow glen and saw the rainbow pride flags for the first time,” Abigail Corns wrote. “It’s a shame people have to steal and replace them just to try and prove a point.”

Victor Partaker responded to her by saying in part, “the point is WHY do LGBTQ people feel they deserve special flags for them … I am straight do you LGBTQ people (give) a damn, do i deserve special treatment or a special flag? NO and I don’t want any just let people live and leave us alone”

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San Jose’s Post Street is now the city’s first LGBTQ district Another commenter weighed in by saying, “People have been and continue to be shunned, killed, oppressed, harassed, ridiculed with that type of mentality. Quit sexualizing the LGBTQ community too.”

On another post, Charles Coachman commented, “The Willow Glen neighborhood is supposed to be better than this. Let the flags be used for two more weeks then put them away.”

Twitter user @Sanaz_SLP took a neutral approach: “How about take all the flags and leave the orange ones? Orange is for safety when crossing the street. There are other places to advertise whatever you want to advertise.”

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