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Nov 11, 2008 12:11 am US/Eastern
Gay Pride Flag Is Raised In Miami Beach
MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ―
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The gay pride flies underneath the U.S. Flag and others at the Miami Beach City Hall.
CBS
Three decades after the gay pride flag was created, gays and Lesbians are hoping to take its powerful symbolism to a new level—sharing space on flag poles around Miami Beach.
On Monday Old Glory got company from the pride flag in Miami Beach's City Hall. Mayor Matti Herrera Bower ran the Gay Pride Flag up the flag pole, making what some would call a bold statement.
"I don't think this a bold step," said Herrera Bower. "I think that this is just another step to making a whole city, a city that really welcomes Gays and lesbians."
Up until recently the gay flag was banned from being flown under city law.
"All gay and lesbians are welcome on Miami Beach," announced Michael Aller during the flag raising Monday night. Some might view this statement as a formality, as Miami Beach has been known to be one of South Florida's most gay friendly locations, and thousands of tourists know it.
With a new amendment passed by the city commission, all that changed, allowing it to be flown anywhere, including government buildings.
"It's a historic day for us," said Babak Movahedi, chair of the Mayor's gay business development committee. "The gay flag is a representation of diversity. It represents equality. It represents the cultural identity of the community."
A large group paraded the flag around town, proudly posting it at highly visible locations such as Lincoln Road and the Miami Beach Police station--showing off their new rights.
"Miami Beach has a little bit of everything," said one beach resident. "I think that's what makes Miami Beach what it is. So I'm ok with it."
Most people passing by were ok with the new colors, but mixed when it came to attaching it to city hall.
"I don't have a special flag so why do they get a special flag," said visitor Mike Vadermolen. "If they want to keep being the same be the same."
"You don't need to raise a straight flag because that represents our identity," said Movahedi.
The mayor says the flag will be posted intermittently at government buildings. Businesses will likely keep it up year round. The Miami Beach commission is hoping they are on the forefront, paving the way for the rest of South Florida.
Miami is currently bidding to host the IX Gay Games in 2014. It's competing with 14 cities worldwide, including Washington D.C., Cleveland and Boston.
Click Here to read more about the Gay Games.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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