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This year's Fraser Valley Pride Celebration is set to take place in Abbotsford from July 17 to 19.

To mark this celebration of the LGBTQ communities, Abbotsford council voted this week to hoist the Pride flag at City Hall from July 13 to 20. (Perhaps there's hope for the flag at Surrey City Hall yet.)

But not everyone's happy about this development in the local "Bible Belt".

On a blog that promotes Creationism and attacks the scientifically-accepted theory of organic evolution, Richard Peachey of "Citizens for a Morally Strong Abbotsford" is calling on likeminded souls to flood the inboxes of Mayor Henry Braun and councillors with emails about their "error in judgment".

Peachey writes in a post (warning: some of our readers will find the following offensive and ignorant):

In general, “Pride” groups have as their main distinctive their particular views on sex, and their sexual practices. They tend to believe that “anything goes” between (or among) consenting individuals. Such views and practices are typically opposed by Bible-believing Christians, as well as by others in our community. So the question is: Should our city council be offering official support to views or practices that many in our community regard as sexual immorality? There is no doubt that the views and practices of “Pride” groups are fully legal. The federal government decriminalized a variety of sexual behaviours some decades ago. But does the fact that sexually immoral behaviours are legal make them worthy of celebrating? Please be clear that “Celebration” is what this is about. Flag-raising signifies affirmation, approval, and endorsement, and the wording of the request itself specifies “Celebration.” But should our city leaders be sending a message to the youth of Abbotsford that sexual immorality is worthy to be affirmed, approved, endorsed, and celebrated?

Of course, if you support equality for LGBTQ people and the flying of the rainbow flag at City Hall, you can send your own message to the mayor and council.

Update (June 19): Richard Peachey's wife, Gerda, has responded to this post.