As a local organization prepares for its fourth Annual Pride Event in Little Compton, its organizers may have experienced a sense of déjà vu after town council members seemed reluctant last week to approve their request to display a colorful “Love is Love” sign at Town Hall on Saturday, June 8, the day of the event.

Last Thursday's discussion in some ways mirrored one that occurred two years ago, when the council, after considerable debate, turned down the group’s request to fly a Pride flag at Town Hall on the day of the celebration.

Megan Gonzalez, co-president of Love Wins Coastal, presented a two-fold request to councilors on behalf of her organization, whose mission is to support LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and their allies through advocacy and education.

First, she asked the council to endorse her group’s initiative encouraging community members to order a “Love is Love” yard sign at no charge and display it on their properties throughout the month of June, as an acknowledgment of LGBTQ+ Pride month. 

She also asked councilors to approve the display of one of the “Love is Love” signs at Town Hall during the June 8 Pride celebration.

Following Gonzalez’s presentation, Councilor Andrew Iriarte-Moore presented his fellow councilors with a resolution he had drafted supporting both proposals.

Council president Bob Mushen recommended that a vote on Gonzalez’s two proposals and a decision relating to passage of the draft resolution be postponed, as the public had not been given sufficient advance notice of the items under consideration.

“It is important that the public realize what is being proposed, and then we can address it at the next meeting,” he said.

Town solicitor Anthony DeSisto also objected to an immediate vote, noting that a sign is similar to a flag, and no town regulations are in place dictating how or if either one can be displayed. Cautioning that without regulations or a formal policy, “if one goes up, they all go up,” and offered to draft regulations for consideration at the council’s June 6 meeting.

Council member Gary Mararonas offered some historical context, summarizing the council’s actions of two years ago.

“We decided we would fly no flags, except the American flag, at Town Hall. So I think you are trying to circumvent this [by saying] now we want to put up a sign. What’s the difference between a sign and a flag?”

Mataronas added that he would support the Iriarte-Moore’s resolution if it said the sign would be posted at the nearby community center, rather than at Town Hall. 

In responding to the discussion, Gonzalez said it was time for the town to establish a policy.

“We have dealt with this year after year with our flag request. We need a clear process moving forward on what is going to be allowed.”

Councilors agreed that Gonzalez’s proposals, Iriarte-Moore’s draft resolution, and the solicitor’s draft of proposed regulations relating to display of flags and signs is expected to be an agenda item at the June 6 council meeting.

Commenting afterwards, Gonzalez said community interest in the Love Wins Coastal sign initiative has been strong, with more than 100 sign requests received so far.

“Requests received spread from Little Compton to Tiverton, Westport, Warren, Portsmouth and Fall River. We actually were forced to close the link and start a waitlist, which is growing daily.”

Commenting on the council’s actions relating to her requests, she said:

“I would encourage our town council members to create clear policies and practices so community members and organizations have guidelines to follow for making requests. I would encourage (them) to stand with love, acceptance, and inclusion.”