Our Utah GOP is a disgrace. If your flag bill passes, you will have to fire me before I take down my Pride flag. It serves as a symbol to our LGBTQ youth that they are loved, supported and accepted unconditionally.
A 2022 survey showed that 50% of Utah’s LGBTQ youth seriously contemplated suicide. With your bill you might as well be saying, “Go ahead and kill yourself” to these vulnerable kids. A Pride flag does not promote homosexuality any more than a U.S. flag promotes invading Greenland or taking over Canada. It simply lets them know that they need not be afraid when they’re in my room.
And, I promote the same acceptance for all of my students unless their stance is hostile towards others, e.g., Nazis and traitors. It will be a cold day in hell before I see a Nazi or Confederate flag flown in or near my room.
And I’m dead serious about not backing down. I will be fired before they make me take down the Pride flag. And if/when I do get fired, that will free up plenty of time for me to dedicate to you being revealed for the demons that you are. I will be contacting the local, state and national media.
J. Ryan Waddoups, West Jordan
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