A misunderstanding of a new flag placed in Dorr Township led to political commentary and controversy Thursday night.
Citizen Thomas Woodward approached the Township Board asking if a new flag installed in a public place locally may be somehow connected to the gay PRIDE LGBTQ movement.
“I couldn’t read the words on the flag,” he told the board, “and I can’t find that flag anywhere.” Noting that the colors were suspiciously similar to the gay PRIDE flag, he declared, “I think we could have done a better job (of choosing a flag).”
Trustee Pat Champion pointed out that the flag was in honor of local police, fire, EMS, nurses and military personnel, not gays and lesbians.
Later in the meeting, Fire Chief Gary Fordham said he bought the flag with his own money in an attempt to pay tribute to local safety personnel.
Champion added, “I think we’re getting over sensitive about colors here.”
Trustee John Tuinstra then waxed eloquent about his personal opinions on gays, lesbians, trangender, queers and bisexuals, in which he blamed them for the decline in morals in the United States since the 1950s.
He demanded, “Remove it (the flag) and replace it.”
No action was taken.
