Basically, what occurred was nothing but an ignorant statement that obviously went too far. During the parade, the LBGT Resource Center was marching with an altered American flag. The flag was altered by the LBGT Resource Center to include all of the colors of the rainbow, to support their cause. Soon after they started marching, a young girl carrying the flag was approached by Riverfest Commodore Mark Schneider. Schneider soon told her that the flag was "a disgrace to his country" and demanded that they leave.
I find this completely appalling. Our nation is a wonderful place because of all of our various freedoms. These certainly include the freedom of speech and the freedom to protest without violence. What Mark Schneider said is both cruel and un-American. I am a firm supporter of LBGT rights, but more so, I am a supporter of the personal freedoms that we are graciously allowed to live with in America.
I was raised to think that people should be treated the same regardless of the color of their skin, their gender, or their sexuality. Our country is based on treating everyone with equality, regardless of our subtle differences. These are very important values in our country that seem to be occasionally brushed aside or overlooked.
With this being said, I can understand Mr. Schneider's frustration to some degree. Many Americans see the flag as the ultimate symbol of freedom and independence. The flag's value stretches deep and far across America, and altering it can be very offensive to some. I can understand that Mr. Schneider may have been offended by seeing his beloved flag painted with different colors, but I still think that his behavior was atrocious.
Many of us will never understand the struggles that LBGT men and women go through in their lifetime. Being different is always hard, especially because Wisconsin is not an area that traditionally has LBGT groups marching in parades, making it scary for those brave men and women that are simply trying to be accepted.
The moral of this story is that the LBGT Resource Center and its supporters want nothing more from you than your acceptance. They understand that we are all a little different, and should never be ridiculed for it. So just remember, the next time that you are put in a potentially uncomfortable situation, make sure not to call an innocent bystander a "disgrace to your country".
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