ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) - A pride flag is now flying outside Encinitas City Hall, overlooking the city's downtown area.
The Encinitas City Council voted 4-0 Wednesday to hoist the flag to commemorate Pride month.
The action comes after the Trump administration denied U.S. Embassy requests to hoist the flag, saying government buidlings should only fly the American flag.
At the meeting Wednesday, councilmembers said they wanted to show the city as inclusive and welcoming. They added they want to push back against a recent uptick in hate crimes against the LGBTQ commumity - and potential rollbacks of federal protections for them in the military, workplace, and health care.
"I think it's critically important that we stand up and celebrate," said Joe Mosca, the city council's first openly gay member. "We celebrate the advancements that have been made and we're ready to fight for the future, and make sure that advancements that have been made haven't been rolled back."
Lisa Nava, a 30-year Encinitas resident and LGBTQ advocate, watched the Pride flag go up in memory of her brother David, who died of AIDS in the 1980s.
"It was actually the first time i ever saw true love, between him and his partner, and I believed in my core being that there was no reason two people couldn't love each other and be out in the world loving each other," she said.
The city's move comes after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the Pride flag to fly above the state capitol this week.
Tony Krvaric, who heads the Republican Party of San Diego County, said there are bigger issues in the country than which flags to fly.
"That said it seems common sense that as a general rule government buildings should just fly the American flag and not be used for making political points one way or the other," Krvaric said.
Councilmembers also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York, a vital moment in the LGBT rights movement.
