In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the Solvang City Council on Monday approved a proposal to fly rainbow banners to celebrate Pride Month, reversing a previous vote that sparked public outcry and an international flap . Cheers and applause rang out as members of the audience shook posters reading: “We see you. We hear you. We support you.”
The approval represented a compromise between the applicant, the Rainbow House Inc. , an LGBTQ resource center, and the council, who heard from critics that the banners were “political” and “agenda-driven,” and therefore not appropriate for the public right of way.
The eight downtown banners will fly for two weeks in June, but not for the full month, and they will no longer be accompanied by rainbow crosswalks. Mayor Mark Infanti cast the deciding vote, switching sides to join Councilmembers Elizabeth Orona and Claudia Orona (no relation) in support.