GALION—Although social media posts encouraged gay pride supporters to turn out at Tuesday’s Galion City Council meeting, no supporters showed. Instead, a large group of local citizens, pastors, and a bishop were in attendance.

Lifelong Galion resident Lisa Gordon spoke to the Council. She, along with her Pastor, Mike Groves, Bishop Linda VanBuren, and other congregants and friends, came to respond to a request to place a progressive pride flag in Galion.

“We believe the only flag that needs to be displayed in our community is the American Flag. The American Flag is the symbol of everything exclusivity represents. The Progressive Pride Flag is more of an exclusion because it separates the LGBTQ-Plus population from the rest of the community. Galion does not need to display the Progressive Pride flag to let the LGBT-Plus community know they are safe and welcome in Galion.” Gordon said.

Gordon referred to comments by Galion resident Samantha Davis when she addressed the Council to ask them to consider a flag placement in a prominent spot in Galion.

Davis is planning a run for the Council in the next election. She suggested Galion take the lead of cities like Seattle and Philadelphia, which displayed the first Progressive Pride Flags.
Gordon quickly pointed out that Galion residents wouldn’t want to live with crime rates like Seattle experiences. She shared some Seattle statistics with the Council.

“This is a peaceful small-town community that lends a helping hand and looks out for each other and those around us. To display a Progressive Pride flag does not show inclusion. It brings attention to a community. We want the LGBT-Plus community to know we do not need to display for them to know they are safe. The American Flag says it all.” (sic) Gordon said.

Gordon ended her comments by reciting Romans 14:19: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

Associate Pastor Joshua Keller of the Victory Rock Praise and Worship Center echoed Gordon’s comments. A resident of Galion for nine years, Keller told the Council that he, his wife, and seven children enjoy the peace and low crime rate of Galion and that things should stay the way they are. He warned that following the same path as other cities could create a scare, as happened in cities that went down that road.

Samantha Davis was not present at the meeting.