A Detroit-area community has banned LGBTQ+ flags from publicly owned poles. The unanimous vote by the Hamtramck City Council came during a tense meeting that raised questions about discrimination, religion and the city's reputation for welcoming newcomers.

The council voted unanimously to display only five flags, including the American flag, the Michigan flag and one that represents the native countries of immigrant residents.

  •  Lost_Wanderer   ( @Lost_Wanderer@beehaw.org ) 
    20•1 year ago

    Some members of the all-Muslim council said the Pride flag clashes with the beliefs of some members of their faith. Businesses and residents aren’t prohibited from displaying a Pride flag on their own property.

    “We want to respect the religious rights of our citizens,” Choudhury said.

    Hamtramck, population 27,000, is an enclave surrounded by Detroit. More than 40% of residents were born in other countries, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and a significant share are of Yemeni or Bangladeshi descent.

    The council voted unanimously to display only five flags, including the American flag, the Michigan flag and one that represents the native countries of immigrant residents.

    Mayor Amer Ghalib made the flag a campaign issue when then-Mayor Karen Majewski flew one on city property in 2021.

    Color me shocked it wasn’t an all white/male/christian town council.

    •  alyaza [they/she]   ( @alyaza@beehaw.org ) English
      13•1 year ago

      Color me shocked it wasn’t an all white/male/christian town council.

      this is an example of how sometimes minority groups can, themselves, punch down on other minority groups. if there’s consolation it’s that Hamtramck’s all-Muslim council is almost certainly on the wrong side of this even with just the Muslims they’re claiming to respect the rights of in doing this: 61% and climbing were fine with homosexuality as of 2017–and no doubt the number is higher today.