Editor: I have seen a number of letters recently about political correctness and opposition to the idea of a rainbow flag being flown in the City of Langley.
I’m not entirely sure why there is so much opposition to the concept of openness and acceptance, but I have noticed that there is a similar sentiment noted in many of these letters, namely the idea that the Canadian flag is all-inclusive and should be good enough for those who want to show acceptance and respect for marginalized populations.
The fact that some assume LGBT, gender-nonconforming, and other marginalized people are and have always been “included” and “safe” under the umbrella of the Canadian and B.C. flags, however, is evidence of the necessity of a rainbow flag in communities such as ours.
Minority groups have had to fight to be recognized under these political flags that are so often assumed to be inclusive of everyone.
It was not until earlier this year, in 2016, that transgender individuals were finally explicitly recognized within the B.C. human rights code and discussions about gender identity and expression are still happening in the House of Commons. Not to mention that under these flags, there has been a history of poor treatment of women, gays and lesbians, racialized others, and Indigenous populations.
To claim that the flags which are currently seen flying at Langley City Hall should be considered as inclusive of all individuals who live in the community is simply wrong.
The flying of a rainbow flag for one week per year is pretty much the least that can be done by the City to show marginalized communities that Langley accepts them and respects them, explicitly and fully.
Some might call it political correctness, but I prefer to call it respect for fellow human beings.
Robert Bittner,
Langley City
