Rainbow Flag in Meade

[Dodgegal]

Why can't Kansas make the news for something happy and positive? The more I hear about this, the crazier it seems.



Rainbow flag creates controversy
Tucker Jankosky
KWCH 12 Eyewitness News
Thursday, July 20, 2006


For J.R. and Robin knight, owning a bed and breakfast is everything they've always wanted. "We came here in search of our dreams, my wife always wanted a bed and breakfast and I always wanted a restaurant," says California native J.R. Knight.

But recently their dream has turned into a nightmare, all because of a flag they're flying outside. “It's a rainbow flag - to some people it means friendship to some people it means gay pride," says Knight. But for knight, it was just a souvenir from his 12-year-old son.

Knight says the local Meade newspaper is trying to put him out of business and was frustrated when it ran an article about the flag and did not even bother to contact him regarding why he put it up. In fact, most people we spoke to in Meade said they didn’t even know what the flag meant until the article ran. But once word got around, the reaction was harsh.

Knight says the radio station has called him threatening to remove the restaurant’s commercials if he does not remove the flag. A local pastor stopped by said it was equivalent to hanging women’s panties on a flag pole. When Knight jokingly said he might consider that – the preacher said he would have him arrested.

His business has suffered - down to only a few local customers. The folks in Meade who've boycotted say it's too offensive for them to eat there.

Local resident, Keith Klassen says the flag is a slap in the face to the conservative community of Meade. “To me it's just like running up a Nazi flag in a Jewish neighborhood. I can't walk into that establishment with that flag flying because to me that's saying that I support what the flag stands for and I don't," says Klassen.

Knight says it's not meant to be a gay pride symbol but he doesn't mind if that's how it's taken.
“Any gay or lesbian people that do stop by will be treated with the best service I can give you," says Knight

But despite the local ridicule and loss of business, Knight is determined to stand his ground. “When this rainbow flag shreds, I will buy another one, and another one, and another one - just like my American flag, I'll buy another one."

Knight says his son gave him the flag after a trip to Dorothy's house, a museum about the Wizard of Oz. The flag reminded the boy of "somewhere over the rainbow."


This story can be found at: http://www.kbsd6.com/servlet/Satelli...189283448&path

[Army_of_One]

Just another example of the the bigoted, backwards, ignorant and hateful mentality of people....

[lurker]

Ahhh, the power of symbolism...

[TexKan]

That's a cryin shame!! What a bunch of idiots!!! Keith otta find a Sonic and climb under it! Good for the owners and if I lived there I would be over there eatin every nite!

[wordsmythe]

Ah Fundies.

[Detector]

I can't help thinking we're not getting the rest of the story.

First off, Meade isn't that far from "Dorthy's house" so local residents would surely know if this flag was as innocent as claimed. I'm inclined to believe we are only reading what each side wants us to know.

I doubt either side is being completely honest. Thats usually the case when things don't make sense.

[wordsmythe]

What does it matter what the real story is? This is bringin attention to the town as well as visitors.

[TexKan]

Lord Wordie - I can't believe I couldn't agree with you more! Makes no difference what the real story is -

[Zeb]

Having spent the first 18 years of my life in that town, I just have to say this isn't surprising at all. For the part, it is a very religious community. Mennonites don't go for swing'n the other way and apparently neither do the Catholics or Methodest in their town.

It is also no surprise that the Newspaper there did not even ask him any questions. To them, there would be no excuse that would fly. They (townfolk) have successfully defeated any proposals that would let the town sell hard Liqour. As far as I know it has always been a dry town on hard liqour/wine (just to give you an idea of the mindset). A bar can barly survive there on the town drunks, which have to drive to Fowler to get anything other than 3.2% beer.


I wouldn't classify them as Bigots. Vietnamese, Japanese, Colored and Mexican families have lived there long before and after I did, and I would say no one ever even noticed what skin color people were. This is a Moral issue they have never had to face and probably wish it never surfaced because now they have to deal with it. And in their view, the Lakeway owner is an outsider come to their town to stir the shite.

[pootsy]

It was once just a rainbow...now look at it.

hahaha!!!


can you say Ridiculous????