Two groups are battling over a plan to fly a gay pride flag at Rutherford borough hall on June 1 to celebrate Gay Pride Month.

According to Rutherford United’s petition, flying the pride flag at borough hall “will only foster division,” and the group believes that the borough should fly flags that speak for all residents, such as the U.S. flag, New Jersey State Flag or Rutherford borough flag.

Nineteen signatures have been collected as of Saturday afternoon.

Rob Lyons, chairperson of Rutherford Pride Alliance, the group that is set to raise the flag at Rutherford on June 1, says the opposing group’s lobbying against the flag is having the opposite effect.

"I know this incident today may have brought up various feelings for people within our community and group,” Lyons wrote on Facebook. "Ultimately, these posters have had the reverse effect, and are amplifying the support that our LGBTQ+ residents of Rutherford have from allies within our town.”

Lyons wrote that he would be at the town’s next meeting which is scheduled for this Monday, May 13.

The raising of the flag was approved via a resolution at the borough’s council at the April 8 meeting after a unanimous vote.

Resident Christopher Moore who, according to the online petition is representing Rutherford United, spoke out against the raising of the flag.

“Flags have meaning especially when flags are flown by the government. The pride flag represents positions on sexual morality, behavior and identity,” Moore said during a municipal alliance meeting on April 17. "Flying the pride flag in town hall says the entire town supports or should support what it stands for. It can be an intimidating and sometimes bullying message for those individuals and institutions with conflicting views. There’s already a culture of fear built around speaking out for traditional marriage and family values concerning relationship and identify that are contrary to those represented by the pride flag.”

A Republican political group on Facebook, formerly known as Rutherford United, changed their name to Rutherford Strong, after hearing about the other Rutherford United group’s stance.

The flag raising is scheduled at the borough hall rain or shine for June 1 at 11 a.m. according to the council’s website.

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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