West Hollywood and Fire Island Face Backlash Over Flag Lowerings Amid Community Concerns

Two of the nation’s most iconic LGBTQ+ destinations—West Hollywood and Fire Island—have recently come under scrutiny following decisions to lower both national and community flags, including the Transgender Flag and Progress Pride Flag, to half-staff in accordance with official proclamations. The moves, intended as gestures of commemoration in the wake of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk, have instead reignited discussions about protocol, symbolism, and community engagement. Kirk's critics have pointed out his history of inflammtory anti-queer messaging.

On September 14, 2025, West Hollywood officials lowered the United States Flag, Transgender Flag, and Progress Pride Flag to half-staff at Matthew Shepard Square. The action was in response to a presidential directive for national mourning, but it quickly drew concern from segments of the local queer community, with some questioning whether lowering community-specific flags was appropriate under the circumstances. Community members voiced their frustration on social media and at local forums, suggesting that the symbolic lowering of the Transgender and Progress Pride Flags—particularly in a space dedicated to LGBTQ+ remembrance—could carry unintended messages or be perceived as disrespectful .

"Officials in Fire Island similarly found themselves in hot water after lowering a trans flag and a Pride flag at Cherry Grove dock under the same directive," Xtra Magazine reported.

West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson issued an official statement, explaining that the lowering of all flags, including those representing marginalized groups, was in strict accordance with established protocol following a presidential proclamation. Wilson emphasized that the intent was to honor the directive and show unity in mourning, not to diminish the importance of the flags or the communities they represent .

The city’s statement acknowledged the concerns raised, noting, “We recognize that these flags hold deep meaning for many in our community. Our actions were taken in accordance with federal and city policy, but we are listening to community feedback and will review our protocols moving forward” .

For some queer advocates and residents, the lowering of the Progress Pride and Transgender Flags in particular struck a nerve. At a public meeting following the incident, several speakers referenced the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by transgender people, arguing that the unintended symbolism of lowering the Transgender Flag could be distressing to members of the community . After Kirk's shooting, and before anything was known about the suspect who is currently in custody, some politicians and right-wing commentators spread the theory that the gunman was transgender—a trope that has been repeated without any evidence in the immediate aftermath of mass shootings in recent years. That claim has only very rarely turned out to be true, with news sources noting that, numerically, transgender people are not overrepresented among perpetrators of mass shootings. Though the claims lack any substance, they may eventually lead to additional anti-trans policies from an administration that has already denied the existence of trans people, attacked health care for transgender Americans, and worked to ban trnasgender athletes from participating in women's sports (though not men's). The Trump administration's Department of Justice has even suggested banning gun ownership among transgender people.

In that context, residents felt that the flag lowerings were disrespectful. Local WeHo activist Jordan Rivera stated, “These flags aren’t just symbols—they’re affirmations of existence and resilience. Lowering them, even as part of a formal protocol, can feel like a reminder of loss rather than solidarity.”

Other community members, however, defended the city’s decision, highlighting that the act of lowering a flag is traditionally a sign of collective mourning and respect, not an erasure of identity. Op-eds in local outlets argued that following established, nonpartisan procedures preserved the integrity of civic rituals and avoided politicizing the process .

Advocacy organizations and residents have called for cities with significant LGBTQ+ populations to review flag protocols and ensure that future actions are made in consultation with the communities most affected. Suggestions include establishing advisory committees and providing advance notice and explanation of flag-related decisions, especially when they involve symbols of marginalized groups.

“Protocol matters, but so does the impact on our community,” said Amanda Lee, a member of a local LGBTQ+ task force. “We need to balance tradition with the lived realities of those represented by these flags” .