DATE: May 21, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: City Attorney's Office
TITLE: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DISPLAY OF THE RAINBOW PRIDE FLAG AT CITY HALL EACH YEAR DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE AS A FORM OF GOVERNMENT EXPRESSION
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the display of the Rainbow Flag or Pride Flag below the City of Oceanside flag on the existing flag pole at City Hall for the entire month of June as government speech in honor of Pride month, beginning in June 2025 and each June thereafter.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Oceanside Civic Center Complex is the site of Oceanside City Hall and various public buildings dedicated to providing City services. Adjacent to the building which houses the Parks and Recreation Department and the Cashier's Office is a dedicated installation of three flag poles. Consistent with state and federal law and in accordance with long-standing practice, the City has only flown the official U.S. Flag, California Flag, and City Flag, along with the POW/MIA Flag. The City does not traditionally open its flag-poles for private speech.
In December of 2023, the City Council debated adopting an official flag policy with respect to displaying flags on the existing flag poles. No policy was adopted at that time.
Historically, the Rainbow Flag (aka Pride Flag) has been used since the 1970s as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and social movements. More recently, the month of June has been celebrated as Pride Month by proclamation of numerous state and local agencies, including in the City of Oceanside.
On the May 7, 2025 City Council Agenda, Mayor Sanchez and Deputy Mayor Joyce placed a Councilmember item pursuant to City Council Policy 100-02 to provide direction to staff with respect to adding a flag pole at City Hall and flying the Pride Flag during the month of June. Following public comment and deliberation, a majority of the City Council directed staff ...
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