Residents urge Lynnwood council to allow pride flag at Wilcox Park; some speakers oppose the request
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Summary
Speakers at the April 13 meeting urged the council to adopt an ordinance allowing a pride flag at Wilcox Park in June, citing a 09/09/2025 mayoral policy that they say precludes flag-raising; other commenters opposed that request, calling the pride flag exclusionary. Council leadership said they have heard the request and staff are reviewing it.
At the Lynnwood City Council meeting on April 13, two community members asked the council to adopt an ordinance allowing a pride flag to be flown at Wilcox Park during June, while several other speakers opposed the request and argued the American flag should remain the unifying symbol.
Philip Lipson told the council that Lynnwood Pride had asked last year to raise a pride flag at Wilcox Park and had been told the city could point to no municipal code prohibiting non-U.S. flags. He said the city later adopted a policy on Sept. 9, 2025 that he and other advocates were not informed about and that the group therefore requests a council ordinance to allow the pride flag in June.
"We encourage the city to see there is no reason to exclude the pride flag from flying on a public flagpole and to recognize diversity," Lipson said.
Charlotte Lafever, founder and director of Lynnwood Pride, asked directly for a city ordinance and said she had not received responses to prior emails. She said the flag represents community members and that the council's elected oath requires representing everyone.
Opposition comments followed. A speaker who identified himself as Judah said the pride flag is "not an inclusive flag" and characterized it as inconsistent with his religious views. Luke Detterman said he viewed the pride flag as an idea he described as "fascist in nature" and urged the council to continue using the American flag.
Council Vice President Derek Escamillo acknowledged the speakers and apologized for not responding sooner. "You are heard," Escamillo said, and he told those who asked for follow-up that leadership and staff had discussed the request and that the city would provide an update when available.
What the speakers requested: a council ordinance to permit the pride flag at Wilcox Park during June, and a formal response to prior outreach from Lynnwood Pride.
What the council said it will do: Council leadership said staff and leadership have been discussing the matter and will report back; no ordinance or formal vote was taken at the meeting.
