Missoula residents split after council’s decision to make Pride flag an official city flag; supporters and opponents spoke at public comment

Following the City Council's decision the prior week to designate the Pride flag as an official Missoula city flag, multiple residents used the June 9 public-comment period to respond, offering sharply divergent views on whether the city should adopt flags that represent specific political or religious viewpoints.

Susan Campbell Renault told the council she opposes making any flag beyond the U.S., Montana and POW/MIA flags "official for the city of Missoula," saying such symbols represent the entire population and that a municipal government should avoid endorsing what she described as strong political statements. "No other flag, especially any flag that symbolizes a controversial topic or political viewpoint should ever be flown above any official government building that represents all Missoula residents," Renault said.

Carolyn Gliedwell urged the council to consider including a Christian flag if private-flag programs are open to outside organizations, citing the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shurtleff v. City of Boston (which addressed municipal flagpole programs) as relevant to whether municipalities can accept privately proposed flags for display. Gliedwell said she wanted the Christian community to be included in the city's expression of diversity.

By contrast, Savannah Geary, who described herself as Guatemalan, thanked the council for making the Pride flag official and said the designation provides reassurance to groups under threat elsewhere. "It really does mean a lot," Geary said, adding the action signals Missoula's willingness to protect vulnerable groups.

Mark Haika, a long-time resident, also praised the council's decision as reflective of Missoula's values. "This is a cool city... you guys represent wonderful people," he told council members.

Councilor Jordan defended the prior decision during council comments, saying it was appropriate both to protect a targeted, marginalized community and to maintain local control over municipal decisions after a state legislative session that Jordan said "actively tried to pass laws that specifically targeted our LGBTQ plus community." Jordan said the city's action balanced protection of a vulnerable group and local autonomy.

Councilors also used the moment to urge civility. Councilor Anderson reminded the public that the right to assemble and protest should be exercised peacefully and without property damage.

No additional council action on flag policy occurred at the June 9 meeting; the remarks were part of the public-comment period and council members' general comments.