Flying Your Gay-Rights Flag

NEPTUNE, NEW JERSEY — Should the display of flags symbolizing sexual orientation — such as the gay-rights rainbow flag — be allowed in "family neighborhoods"?
That's a question the Township Committee has been asked to tackle at an April 28 public meeting with the Shark River Hills Property Owners' Association.
The question is one of 23 that have been submitted to Mayor Michael Brantley and the committee by members of the association.
"Ref: Display of sexual orientation flags," the question begins. "More and more, we are noticing flags being displayed on (Shark River Hills) properties declaring the occupants' sexual orientation or proclivity — not just the multicolored "gay' striped flags, but also banners indicating fetishes and or other "lifestyle' choices.
"While this type of display may be acceptable in certain gay enclaves, there is simply no justification for it in a family oriented neighborhood like (Shark River Hills.) Your comments?"
Deputy Mayor Mary Beth Jahn said she could answer the question in two words: "First Amendment," she said.
The meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. at the Shark River Hills firehouse on Brighton Avenue, is an annual event during which Shark River Hills residents can discuss their concerns with members of the committee and various department heads.
Each year, questions are submitted to association president JoAnne Collins for inclusion in a letter to the mayor, Collins said.
Collins said "nearly 100 percent" of the questions are submitted anonymously, and she does not filter them.
"I include any question. It's up to the mayor whether he wants to address it or not," Collins said.
She said the question about the flags "is definitely not a concern of mine, nor is it a concern of the property owners' association as a whole."
She said the person who submitted the question "thought one of the flags was explicit in nature."
Committeeman Randy Bishop said he was not sure whether the question would even be addressed.
"I don't know what Mayor Brantley will do," he said.
Brantley could not be reached for comment.
Bishop said he believes that the township "has no business infringing on First Amendment rights of any type because, truthfully, people could be offended by any number of things, and where does it stop when you start?"
Jahn was more blunt, calling the question "extremely ignorant."
"It's a poor reflection on Shark River Hills and the homeowners' association that would even submit that," she said. "It's very painful to learn that we have that kind of bias and ignorance living within our town."
Jahn also wondered why gays and lesbians "are not considered to be family-oriented."
Bishop and Jahn said they have never seen the kinds of flags referenced in the question displayed in Shark River Hills.
"But I will be out looking for examples," Jahn said.
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Brantley could not be reached for comment.
Bishop said he believes that the township "has no business infringing on First Amendment rights of any type because, truthfully, people could be offended by any number of things, and where does it stop when you start?"
Jahn was more blunt, calling the question "extremely ignorant."
"It's a poor reflection on Shark River Hills and the homeowners' association that would even submit that," she said. "It's very painful to learn that we have that kind of bias and ignorance living within our town."
Jahn also wondered why gays and lesbians "are not considered to be family-oriented."
Bishop and Jahn said they have never seen the kinds of flags referenced in the question displayed in Shark River Hills.
"But I will be out looking for examples," Jahn said.
from Asbury Park Press