Quote:If you publicly burned a rainbow flag, public reaction would be intense and divided. Part of the media would demonize you, part would idolize you, and the morons who let the cable news networks dictate their thought patterns would react accordingly. Facebook would light up with some people decrying it as an act of pure, simple hatred, and plenty of others cheering you on for finally putting those filthy queers in their place.

 

Now go burn an American flag. Same reaction, just reversed. Maybe more muted, because we're used to the idea of American flags being burned in protest. We're not used to rainbow flags being burned. In fact, I'd argue that the rainbow flag burning carries an element of extreme hatred to it that burning the American flag wouldn't. Burning an American flag is commentary on the government, the actions of society, something along those lines. Burning a rainbow flag is a direct, targeted statement of hate, disgust or intimidation towards an entire group of people. In fact, in many ways, I'd say it's on par with burning a cross.

 

That's not to say that burning a flag or a cross should be illegal. As long as it's not taking place on someone's property without their consent or being used to clearly target one person or group of people with violent threats, I could really care less. It should all be protected free speech. When you systematically silence (or at least discourage the speech of) groups of people, you get the type of deep divisions and backlash that we're seeing now.

 

I would say the rainbow flag represents gays the same way the American flag represents veterans. Burning both illicit similar emotional response with many in both groups I am willing to bet.

 

I consider it hateful expression to burn the American flag. Same with burning the rainbow flag, a cross, or the Quran. How about we just keep that kind of stuff off public grounds?

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