Legion post requested limiting memorial to American flag

A resolution approved at the Aug. 17 Yardley Borough Council meeting is “rooted in homophobia,” according to council President David Bria.
Bria, who is gay, made the comment after council voted 3-2 to pass the resolution that prohibits the flying of any flag but the American on a flagpole that’s part of a World War II monument located on the grounds of Borough Hall on Main Street. The Pride Flag, symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, had flown on the pole just below the American Flag for the entire month of June.
According to the resolution, the document came about after a representative from the borough’s American Legion Post 317 requested the use of the flagpole be limited to the flying of the American Flag.
“That resolution was written because we flew the Pride Flag and they don’t want us to do that anymore,” Bria said when contacted after the meeting.
“A lot of government buildings have memorials and Pride Flags are flown there,” he continued. “I respect the request from the veterans, but the military has a long history of not allowing LGBTQ community members to serve. I believe the resolution was rooted in homophobia and, unfortunately, that won out.”
Bria and council Vice President Caroline Thompson voted against the resolution, while members Uri Feiner, Kim Segal-Morris and Matt Curtin voted in favor. Council members Matt Ross and John McCann were absent from the meeting.
Bria explained that under applicable laws governing boroughs in Pennsylvania, motions can be passed by a majority of council members present at a meeting and that a majority of the full council is not required.
American Legion Post members, including Commander Ted Smith, said the request and its subsequent approval was not directed at the Pride Flag in particular and does not indicate any prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community.
They and other supporters of the resolution said the flying of any other flag on the pole that’s part of the World War II monument diminishes its impact and thus shows a certain degree of disrespect for veterans and the contributions and sacrifices they have made.
“That’s entirely what all this is about,” Smith said at the Aug. 17 meeting. “We want to honor the veterans honored on the monument.”

The resolution, drafted with help from the borough’s Community Outreach Committee, provides for the flying of Pride and other flags at other borough-owned locations, including other spots at Borough Hall.
“The borough recognizes and respects the importance of culturally significant flags and shall, at the discretion of Borough Council, elect, from time to time, to fly such flags from mastheads on the facade of Borough Hall or the flagpole owned by the borough in Buttonwood Park,” the resolution stated.
“The borough also respects the importance and historic and symbolic significance of the World War II Monument in the borough, and, therefore, it shall only fly the American Flag from the flagpole located within the World War II Monument, which is owned by the borough and maintained by the American Legion.”
Thompson wasn’t convinced by the arguments in favor of the resolution.
“I’m concerned about the formality of resolutions and ordinances,” she said at the meeting. “People up here (on council) have to decide each year what they want to fly. The timing (of the resolution) is a little suspect. It does seem reactive.”
Mayor Chris Harding said he believed the resolution was fair and didn’t disrespect either veterans or the LGBTQ+ community.
“I am for inclusion,” he said. “I have performed all kinds of marriage ceremonies, and will continue to do so.
“(But) these are men and women who fought for our right to fly all kinds of flags. I don’t see it as reactionary. This monument is special to them.”
Borough solicitor Ernest “Bucky” Closser said the resolution at the discretion of council can be rescinded or modified at any time by another resolution.

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