Senator Chuck Schumer waves a Rainbow Flag after asserting new laws on the Stonewall Nationwide Monument on Feb. 15
Donna Aceto
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer and Congressmember Dan Goldman — each from New York — formally launched their laws that might make the Rainbow Flag a Congressionally-authorized flag, together with on the Stonewall Nationwide Monument.
The invoice’s introduction comes two weeks after the Trump administration eliminated the Rainbow Flag from the flagpole on the Stonewall Nationwide Monument, prompting widespread anger and calls for for the flag’s restoration. Whereas activists and elected officers re-raised a Rainbow Flag on that flagpole, Schumer introduced at a Feb. 15 press convention that he would suggest a invoice to guard the Rainbow Flag. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is co-sponsoring the invoice within the higher home.
The Senate’s model of the laws states that the invoice’s function is “to designate the Pride flag as an authorized flag eligible for display at units of the National Park System,” “to condemn the removal of the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument,” and “to express the sense of the Senate that the Pride flag should be restored at Stonewall National Monument.”
The Trump administration has defended its determination to take away the flag, saying “government-wide guidance” stipulated that “only the US flag and other congressionally or departmentally authorized flags” might be flown “on NPS-managed flagpoles, with limited exceptions.”
The Rainbow Flag and American Flag on the Stonewall Nationwide Monument on Feb. 13.Donna Aceto
“Stonewall stands as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ community — a reminder of the resilience and perseverance of those before us who fought for the rights they deserve,” Schumer stated in a written assertion on Feb. 25. “Stonewall is sacred ground and Congress must act now to permanently protect the pride flag and what it stands for. Trump’s hateful crusade must end. The very core of American identity is liberty and justice for all — and that is what this legislation would protect: each national park’s ability to make their own decision about what flag can be flown. Attempts to hurt New York and the LGTBQ community simply won’t fly, but the Stonewall Pride flag always will.”
“We hope so,” Schumer stated. “When we did the [Respect for Marriage Act], we did get bipartisan support. It’s a different world, with Trump and all of his horrible, hateful minions, but we’re going to fight to get bipartisan support.”
Goldman, who represents District 10 in Manhattan and Brooklyn, ripped the Trump administration for eradicating the flag and stated his laws would forestall the president from taking additional motion in opposition to it.
“President Trump’s removal of the Pride Flag at Stonewall was just the latest in an endless series of gratuitous and cruel attacks on the LGBTQ+ community,” Goldman stated in a written assertion. “The day after his administration removed the flag, we went to Stonewall to put it right back up. Now, we’re introducing legislation to make sure it can’t be taken down again. This legislation will guarantee that the Pride flag can fly again as a symbol of justice and equality for all — at Stonewall, and at all national parks across our country. We will not let Donald Trump erase history.”
