Pride flag to fly at Redondo City Hall in June

Redondo Beach city councilmembers Todd Loewenstein, Nils Nehrenheim and Zein Obagi, Jr. Photo by Garth Meyer

by Garth Meyer

An LBGTQ+ Pride flag will be flown over city hall in June to commemorate Pride Month. The action was approved by a unanimous city council vote Tuesday night. 

The flag, yet to be purchased, will fly under the American flag, and the State of California flag.

“There’s been a lot of community interest as to how we got here and why,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Nils Nehrenheim, while stating the city should do more than “virtue signaling.”

Councilman Christian Horvath brought the matter to the council two months ago, and said Tuesday that he did not expect the level of backlash he has heard since.

“I think Redondo Beach is an inclusive place,” he said. “My intent was to just raise the flag as a show of solidarity, temporarily in June for Pride Month.”

Nehrenheim clarified that he was in favor of the council passing a resolution “celebrating and lifting people up,” but did not support a flag without input from the community first.

“Sometimes leaders need to lead, and set an example,” Horvath responded.

City staff provided options, such as adding more poles to fly the flags at city hall. 

Each city councilmember was opposed to this option. 

Horvath offered to donate the $100 to buy the flag. Councilman Todd Loewenstein cited constituents, friends and relatives who have come out as LBGTQ+.

“Folks who look at this as political, I feel sorry for you,” he said. “I look at it as we are a very accepting community.”

Nehrenheim noted that there are 32 flags for specific LGBTQ+ orientations.

“When you start separating yourselves into groups, you start dividing yourself. You cannot multiply your strength through division,” he said, explaining that he supports local education and displays about how inclusive Redondo Beach has been through its history. He added that he supported police and firefighters, but opposed a police flag or firefighters’ flag.

“It’s one nation. That is what binds us together, we are a melting pot,” Nehrenheim said. 

Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr., weighed in.

“Flags are something that many people get support from,” Obaji, Jr. said

Members of the public then spoke in favor at Tuesday’s meeting, followed by a man from District Five against.

“Why do they get a month? Veterans get a day. It’s disgusting. It’s just a disgusting lifestyle,” he said. 

“It promotes a very small minority over all of the people… I’m hoping if you do this, you have to also fly the Christian flag. And maybe even with Christian’s (Horvath) face on it because it’s his name… You’re going to invite the next level. It starts with one thing and goes to the next level.”

“Are you done?” Nehrenheim said.

“I’m not done, I’ve got another minute,” the man said. “In fact, I want a few extra seconds for having to point that out.”

Councilwoman Laura Emdee, District Five, said she understands the concern about where to stop. 

“This community has experienced so much persecution,” she said. “(Flying the flag) is a symbol of ‘Everyone belongs here.’ That’s all it’s saying.”

She added a comment about the mention of other groups.

“Those groups weren’t persecuted,” Emdee said. “We should err on the side of inclusiveness.”

City Clerk Eleanor Manzano said of 18 e-comments received, 13 opposed flying the flag and five were in support.

After Horvath made a motion to approve the flag for June, Obagi made a substitute motion to start with the flag this year and request that the city’s Public Arts Commission and the Historical Commission look into some kind of permanent fixture such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. bench.

After further discussion, the motion passed 5-0. ER

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