Garden Grove has a history of of harassing and persecuting the LGBTQ+ community. On May 14, 2019, Garden Grove city council had an opportunity to begin healing decades-old wounds and make up for past transgressions against the LGBTQ+ community and residents. Council member Kim Nguyen wanted to make a simple gesture and add a city council agenda item to display the LGBTQ+ pride flag inside city hall during June, also known as Pride Month.

Despite overwhelming support from over community members who showed up to and spoke at two city council meetings, Garden Grove city council members (John O'Neil, Phat Bui, and George Brietigam) refused to allow it to be put on the agenda. Ultimately, they killed the chance to fly the rainbow flag during Pride Month.

Their arguments ranged from "not having a flag policy” to "if we start with this flag, what stops other groups from flying theirs?" All common arguments used against the LGBTQ+ community that was just thinly-veiled homophobia.

Don't let Garden Grove erase the existence of the LGTBQ+ community. Flying the flag was a simple gesture to show that Garden Grove is committed to our safety and honoring us as community members.

The rainbow flag symbolizes our history, visibility, celebration, and resilience. Flying it is one way for allies and institutions to honor the LGBTQ+ community's existence and display their commitment to protecting our rights and safety.

Neighboring Orange County cities are already flying LGBTQ+ pride flags within their city halls: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Fullerton, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana.

We need to let Garden Grove city council know we are holding them to the same standard as the OC cities above to support their LGBTQ+ community and residents. City council claimed to not have enough residents who support flying the flag. We know this is not true.

By signing this petition, we're telling Garden Grove city council to include the LGBTQ+ pride flag as a commemorate flag in their flag policy. And we're telling them to fly the LGBTQ+ pride flag during June!

We know that the our communities are committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Sign the petition below!

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Organizations committed to the fight:
- VietRISE
- Viet Rainbow of Orange County (VROC)
- APAIT
- VietUnity SoCal
- OCCORD (Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development)
- Queer and Asian at UCI
- Asian Americans Rising
- Orange County Equality Coalition
- Orange County Environmental Justice
- Human Rights Campaign Orange County
- Viet-Care
- Resilience Orange County

(if your organization wants to sign onto this list, please sign below!)


- Garden Grove LGBTQ History: https://qvoicenews.com/2019/05/28/garden-grove-has-history-of-harassing-persecuting-gay-community/
- https://qvoicenews.com/2019/05/28/garden-grove-fly-gay-pride-flag-dont-ignore-lgbtq-people/