City Council Member Prefers Pride Flag Over American Flag

A member of the Lynnwood City Council has expressed a preference for the Pride flag over the American flag. She raised questions about the 27 variations of the American flag displayed in local parks, suggesting that some represent “not good” aspects of American history.

“The Pride flag feels much more familiar to me than the Stars and Stripes. I wouldn’t even fly the Stars and Stripes in my own home,” Lynnwood City Councilwoman Isabel Mata said on Monday. She noted that, although she wasn’t born in the U.S., she would be happy to display the Pride flag. “I think I’m not alone in my sentiments in the most diverse city in Snohomish County.”

Mata, who identifies as a “queer and neurodivergent writer, advocate, and mindfulness meditation teacher,” minimized the symbolism of the American flag, proposing that it could be replaced with a memorial to better represent the community. However, she later clarified her remarks, stating that they were personal reflections on what the Pride flag means to her.

At the heart of this discussion is Wilcox Park, commonly referred to as Flag Park, where multiple versions of the American flag fly on 27 flagpoles.

“This community is rich in diverse cultures and backgrounds, yet we see the same flag repeated 27 times, some of which represent parts of American history that aren’t exactly celebrated,” Mata commented.

A clip of her statements gained traction online, igniting a wave of criticism on social media. Some commentators echoed concerns about her remarks, with reactions including disbelief and statements like, “If you dislike America so much, why stay?”

Mata later expressed regret over her comments regarding the American flag’s symbolism. “I apologize for how I expressed my thoughts. The Star-Spangled Banner symbolizes the sacrifices made by veterans and military families, and represents the promise that brought immigrants like me to this country,” she said. “I should have approached that topic with more respect.”

She maintained that her comments were not intended as a formal policy suggestion, but rather to provoke discussion about how Lynnwood—a city celebrated for its diversity—could better reflect its community.

“In a diverse city like Lynnwood, we can celebrate various cultures and identities alongside, not instead of, the Star-Spangled Banner. Any official changes regarding public spaces should involve a full community input process,” she added.

Separately, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently introduced legislation to designate the Pride flag as the official flag of Congress, providing it with the same protections as the American and military flags.