CLEVELAND -- You may not be aware of a certain flag, flying above Cleveland City Hall on Flag Day.

At City Hall, some different colors are slowly changing the political game in Cleveland as the gay pride flag is flying over city hall.

 

Just like it has periodically over the last four years.

 

But at the bus stop just across from the city offices, it's been hiding in plain sight from downtown workers.

 

On the week of gay pride events in Cleveland, the flag just may symbolize a growing political acceptance of the alternative lifestyle.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=53588

 

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"But at the bus stop just across from the city offices, it's been hiding in plain sight from downtown workers."

 

LMAO. Those poor downtown workers. Can you imagine if they had to work in San Fran or Provincetown?

If it's just for pride week then I don't see anything wrong with it. It would give gays special attention as a group discriminated against when there are dozens of others but on the other hand caring too much about being politically leads to a lot of problems too.

"But back at the bus stop, some said they wished the flag "wasn't there."

 

Although this is a bit of a generalization, the residents of the city of Cleveland should be damned grateful for the gay community. I'd love to see how well Ohio City, Tremont, Edgewater, the Warehouse District, etc. would be without the millions invested over the years by the gay community in commercial and residential structures. I'd really love to see Cleveland's tax base without the contribution of the gay community.

 

"On the week of gay pride events in Cleveland, the flag just may symbolize a growing political acceptance of the alternative lifestyle.

 

Considering how many gays work for Channel 3, it's shameful that this phrase was allowed to be used. Alternative to WHAT?

i hate articles like this.  it comes off so controversial and it makes us look like hillbillies that in 2006 its even being discussed. 

 

i also hate when people claim it gives gay people "special" attention or "special" rights.  we're not the ones pushing for "special" amendments heh.

When I think alternative lifestyle I think living in a russian space station. I think gay acceptance is more likely to occur if people stop making a big deal about the "controversy". It's kinda like how Cincinnati would probably be a little more liberal and less racist if peopl would stop bringing attention to it and labeling it; all it does is sustain that perception.

How about they can flying a straight pride flag when they are banned from marrying each other? Who cares about greater Cleveland anyway, no one would ever choose to visit it. Just like no one would choose to visit greater Columbus, etc. Oh, and that would be alternative to being straight. :roll: I still don't get how that's a lifestyle all in itself.

Maybe I am an etneral optimist, but 41% who thought it was appropriate is not such a bad number.

Of the people who thought it was not appropriate,  I bet there is a good number who just don't get or like the politics of the pride flag, but are geneally supportive of Cleveland being a welcoming community.

Mayor Campbell was the first to raise the flag above city hall, so it is still new for Cleveland

I normally am one to dismiss a lot of overly political gays as trying to push the limits too far in the name of "equality", but this case does seem stupid. It's just for Pride Week. When other groups have large gatherings or festivals they should be able to fly their flags too. It just symbolises how they are an important part of the city.

"When other groups have large gatherings or festivals they should be able to fly their flags too."

 

They can and they have and they do.

Guys, it's TV news. Don't give it a second thought -- the reporters themselves don't. They just aim to titillate.

 

(BTW, I agree with gotribe -- 41% across the metro area is pretty good.)

Maybe I am an etneral optimist, but 41% who thought it was appropriate is not such a bad number.

Of the people who thought it was not appropriate,  I bet there is a good number who just don't get or like the politics of the pride flag, but are geneally supportive of Cleveland being a welcoming community.

Mayor Campbell was the first to raise the flag above city hall, so it is still new for Cleveland

 

As one of MayDays "people" LMAO  :lol:  I wonder what the breadown of the 41% is in terms of age, ethnicity and place of residence.

 

On the week of gay pride events in Cleveland, the flag just may symbolize a growing political acceptance of the alternative lifestyle.

 

I would say "alternative" is being the COO of a Major fortune 500 (with a wife and 3 kids) that used to be on Public Square and the President of an international swingers club...... letting a video get out into the public of two guys and a girl spank you....is alternative!

:whip:

 

I pay my taxes, which are probably a lot higher than the @#%@ complaining, I work, I am active in my community being gay is a part of my being HOWEVER it does not define ME!

 

Did I complain or "question" the lifestyles of people during the St. Patrick's day parade?  Do I stereotype Germans during the Octoberfest?  The PR Festival and Parade? 

 

This MONTH is gay pride month in NYC, the City knows just how much the gay/lesbian/transgender community means to Metro NYC.  There is gay pride in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan (NYC longest parade) & the Bronx...along with NNJ and Long Island the amount of gay "stuff" up and around the city is nauseating...yes i said that and I'm gay!

 

Cleveland would only want to embrace gays along with latins, blacks, Asians and women's issues as it only makes the city that more attractive and diverse for those that live here and company and the people they employ who are interested in moving here!

 

I have a strong inkling that Santiagos ward could become a larger gay community and the Latin power base will start to rise as the gay Latin community is fragmented in various areas or Lorain.

 

 

"But back at the bus stop, some said they wished the flag "wasn't there."

 

Although this is a bit of a generalization, the residents of the city of Cleveland should be damned grateful for the gay community. I'd love to see how well Ohio City, Tremont, Edgewater, the Warehouse District, etc. would be without the millions invested over the years by the gay community in commercial and residential structures. I'd really love to see Cleveland's tax base without the contribution of the gay community.

 

I would like to add neighborhoods like Hough (the gays started the comeback - Although many of you appear not to like Mike White he did openly embrace the gay community), Univ. Circle, Shaker Sq./Larchmere, the Superior Arts district, Chinatown (blinky's turf)  & Glendale & upper prospect.

 

 

I just past 1,000 post....heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!  :clap:

^I echo the comments above.

 

I think that the Slovenian flag was flying over City Hall last week for some sort of Slovenian event. 

The homophobes would say that "the Slovenians didn't choose to be Slovenian." I suspect that's the origin of the term "alternative lifestyle" comes from -- those who use the term believe it's a lifestyle chosen.

I just can't believe they commisioned a "study."

I agree, 41% is not a bad number at all.  I just cringe to think of the percentages if the survey was given in my area :(

 

And the only "alternative" I know is rock music :)

I think 41% is pretty good too. 

 

I always thought "alternative' meant rock, and maybe a certain polticized bohemianism, as in the German use of the word.

 

 

btw there is also one of the painted chinatown dogs in front, no ones conducted a survey about that being there...

^That's 41% of people who think it's appropriate to display the Gay Pride flag inside and outside of Cleveland City Hall as part of Pride Week.  And I don't think that's a good number at all... besides, what does it mean for the over all attitude of Northeast Ohioans? Who knows?  If they don't think it's appropriate to fly a flag, do you suppose they'd be more open to the real people (gays, in this case) or less so?

Perhaps if Jane was still in office, this wouldn't even be an issue.