Resident urges Buckeye to fly rainbow flag for Pride Month; council asks staff for recognition guidance

Buckeye — During public comment on June 3, resident Amber Jeffley asked the City Council to raise a rainbow flag at City Hall in recognition of Pride Month.

The request matters to community members who said visible recognition can foster a sense of welcome and safety. Jeffley, who identified herself as a small-business owner and an 11-year resident, said flying a rainbow flag would signal that LGBTQIA+ residents are seen and respected in Buckeye. “The gay agenda is just to live like every other member of our community without fear of bullying,” Jeffley told council as she asked the city to join other Arizona cities that fly the flag in June.

No formal action was taken; the item was raised during the meeting’s public comment period. During comments from council later in the meeting, a councilmember thanked Jeffley for speaking and asked staff whether the city has an ordinance or guidance for recognizing commemorative months. A staff member replied that the city does have guidance and that staff would provide a packet of information to council members about the process for recognition.

Jeffley asked council to “please be brave enough to join the fine cities of Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Flagstaff and Bisbee in recognizing Pride Month and fly this flag outside of this building.” Council did not vote on the request during the meeting; staff said it will return information on existing recognition procedures.