To the editor:
It’s that time of year again when Village of Pelham Manor residents ask the mayor and trustees who represent them to fly the Pride flag at Pelham Manor Village Hall during Pride Month as a visible show of support for the LGBTQ+ community there.
In each of the three previous years, the mayor and trustees have been asked to fly the Pride flag. As they are aware, flying the flag is a simple, legal symbol of commitment to inclusion in Pelham Manor.
We hope they will consider a range of creative ways to visibly support the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. Flying a flag at village hall is one way. Posting a village proclamation recognizing Pride Month on the message boards around the village is another. Flying Pride flags at Four Corners might be another. A rainbow-painted or chalked sidewalk crossing could be yet another.
Visible signs of celebration and support are what matter most to our LGBTQ+ youth and allies, families and friends. Village residents are looking to Pelham Manor’s mayor and trustees as elected representatives serving everyone in the village to demonstrate that support.
Merely issuing the same press release year after year and highlighting the LGBT representation on the board of trustees only have value if they’re backed up with visible, supportive action in support of our LGBTQ+ community members, allies and their families. Without visible, supportive action, the press release and LGBT representation are empty gestures at best.
We welcome the opportunity to help implement any village initiatives in support of Pride Month, and we hope the Pelham Manor mayor and trustees will explore creative ways to show support for our LGBTQ+ youth and allies, families and friends during this celebratory time.
Steve Salee
528 Stellar Ave.
Billy Pontes • Jun 3, 2024 at 9:44 pm
Did the author ask the Library to fly the pride flag? Did the author ask Pelham Schools to fly the flag on their flag pole? Did the author ask the Town to fly the flag on the Town flag pole (not the Gazebo). And what is the Pelham Pride Committee? Who is on the Committee? Is the Committee an organization or a sub branch of another organization? Who and how can one participate in this Pride Committee?
And why is the Town and library afraid to bring back Drag Queen Story Hour? Yes, the author doesn’t speak about this oddly enough.
Eileen Miller • Jun 4, 2024 at 7:38 pm
I don’t think these are relevant comparisons. First, the Library is not responsible for the people of Pelham Manor (or Pelham, for that matter). A flag at the Library isn’t sending a message that the local municipality where people live, sees and respects them. Further, I’m not aware that at any point has the Library indicated that someone on their Board is gay and therefore represents the interests of the LGBTQ+ community, which this letter indicates is happening in PM. I also believe that the Town does fly the flag, so not sure what you’re trying to say there. Whether it’s on a flagpole or at the Gazebo is irrelevant, though I don’t know where it is.
With respect to the Pelham Schools, they do a very good job providing the means for LGBTQ+ students and allies to join together and feel connected and seen. A flag at our schools is a great idea, but I know that a number of our buildings do find many ways to acknowledge Pride month.
Additionally, this is a letter from an individual – why are you raising questions about the Pelham Pride Committee? I understand that the Committee has been responsible for Pride celebrations in our Town in the past, but nowhere in this letter is there mention of the Committee. And what does Drag Queen Story Hour have to do with anything? This letter is about celebrating Pride Month and the need to do so.
I don’t live in the Manor, but I believe standing up and showing support for the LGBTQ+ community is increasingly important. This is particularly true for our young people. I thank Mr. Salee for his letter and join him in hoping to make all parts of Pelham welcoming to all our residents.
Eileen Miller