Rainbow crosswalk mysteriously appears after denied request for Pride flag in Fairhaven – SouthCoastToday.com
FAIRHAVEN — They can say no to a rainbow flag, but what about rainbow chalk? After the Fairhaven Board of Selectman passed on flying the Pride Flag, a rainbow chalk crosswalk anonymously appeared in front of Fairhaven Town Hall on Monday.
On June 7, Kyle Bueno, who sits on the Fairhaven School Committee, appeared before the selectman to request approval to hang the iconic rainbow flag.
The request was denied with a vote of 2-1.
“For many, the flag shows that someone is looking out for me and appreciates who I am,” Bueno said during the meeting while also noting that more towns and government officials showing support for the LGBTQ+ community can lead to positive changes.
‘A slippery slope’:Fairhaven selectmen shoot down proposal to fly Pride flag at Town Hall
On Monday, right between Fairhaven Town Hall and the Millicent Library on Center Street, the crosswalk was recreated to represent the Pride colors – pink, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.
“As a resident, I’m not surprised that members of the community would come together and decide to color the crosswalk right across the town hall,” said Bueno. “It really kind of signifies who we are.
“We do value diversity, and respect one another, and people with the utmost sense of integrity.”
Bueno received a bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University in economics with minors in political science and Portuguese. In 2015, he received the Outstanding Community Award for helping millennials register to vote in elections. He is now pursuing a master’s in public administration at Bridgewater State.
In a 2019 open letter asking for people to write-in his name for the School Committee seat, Bueno wrote, “I want to continue promoting an inclusive environment particularly for our LGBTQ community because, as a gay man myself, I understand the societal pressures of fully embracing yourself.”
Why the Pride flag was denied in Fairhaven
A new flag policy at Fairhaven Town Hall that was enacted in September states that a request for flying flags on town-owned property be made 60 days in advance. At the Board of Selectmen meeting, Bueno took responsibility for not filing in time for Pride month.
“That is something on my heart that I take full ownership and responsibility for,” he said.
More:Should gay pride flag fly at Dighton Town Hall just in June? Year-round? Not at all?
Instead, Bueno requested flying the flag, not on the flagpole, but outside town hall for the month of August. Selectman Robert Espindola, who voted in favor of Bueno’s request, gave an example that although Mental Awareness month was for May, flying the flag another month was still important as a way to recognize those issues.
What are the origins of Pride Month?:And who should we thank for the LGBTQ celebration?
The request was denied by Selectman Keith Silvia and Daniel Freitas stating that the policy should be amended to “no flags” as Freitas said he’s received requests in the past to fly divisive flags such as the Trump flag.
“Yeah, I was disappointed. But, ultimately, it’s the decision of the board to either approve or reject the proposal,” Bueno said.
The crosswalk means for LGBTQ+ community
Bueno said he visited the sight of the rainbow chalk crosswalk on Monday afternoon.
“As a member of the LGBTQ community, sometimes it’s hard to view these types of fights. But, where artists and community members came together to show Pride this month, really makes a difference to me,” he added.
“There’s so many of us that are out there that are visible and being representatives for our community. I want to say to them, thank you and I am forever indented to their acts of courage and commitment to the cause.”
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.