Dozens of residents and community leaders spoke during public comment Tuesday urging the Bozeman City Commission to adopt the Progress Pride flag as an official city emblem and resume flying it over City Hall.

What people asked: Speakers including Chad Perot, who identified himself as a lifelong Bozeman area resident and city employee, Jason Beatty of Queer Bozeman, Jeffrey Scholte and numerous residents told the commission the Pride flag is a symbol of inclusion, safety and support for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Chad Perot noted the flag’s historical origins and its role in visibility; he asked commissioners to adopt the flag “not as a token, but as a reflection of the city we are becoming.”

Legal and procedural options: Commissioner Boddy said the city attorney provided four options in an email: declare the pride flag a historic flag; display it as an official flag of another local government; adopt the pride flag as the official flag of the City of Bozeman in addition to the current city flag; or adopt a new city flag using the Pride Progress flag with the city seal. Boddy asked staff to place the attorney’s memo on a future agenda so the commission could discuss the options.

Context from speakers: Several speakers cited the city’s recent nondiscrimination ordinance and the city’s “Belonging in Bozeman and Equity Inclusion Plan,” which Jeffrey Scholte said the commission adopted unanimously on Dec. 19, 2023, and he read portions of the plan back to the commission. Other speakers described personal reasons for supporting the flag, including telling children and family members they belong.

No immediate action taken: Commissioners did not vote on a resolution or ordinance at the June 17 meeting. Commissioner Boddy urged colleagues to direct the city manager to place the attorney’s options on an early agenda for deliberation.