Rainbow flag can stay after Rockledge HOA board member calls it 'offensive'

HOA letter compared gay pride flag to confederate flag

Rockledge resident Jenifer Raymond put up this gay pride rainbow flag about two years in the front yard of the home she rents (Photo: TIM SHORTT/FLORIDA TODAY)

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – Jenifer Raymond's rainbow flag, commonly known as the gay pride flag, has flown high above her home in the Ashwood Lakes subdivision for a couple of years. 

Raymond told News 6 partner Florida Today she heard no complaints about the flag, and even received a few compliments from neighbors about it. 

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But for a few days this week, she was concerned she may have to take it down.

An email that appeared to come from the homeowners association notified her landlord last week that the flag, a symbol dear to gays and lesbians, had generated complaints and been deemed "offensive" and "detrimental to the subdivision." 

"Allowing the flag to be flown is setting a precedence for other homeowners to fly other offensive flags," the email to Raymond's landlord states. 

One offensive flag cited as an example was the Confederate flag. 

But Wednesday, her landlord, Anthony Posada, said he was notified by the association that the email sent to him did not reflect orders from the board. What happened was one overzealous board member wanted the flag down. 

"The HOA board has apologized for the incident and told Jenifer that there was never an issue with the flag," Posada said.

Ashwood Lakes could have fined Posada $50 for the flag. But for the few days when he believed the association had an issue with the gay pride symbol, he told Raymond not to take it down. 

"It was the right thing to do," Posada said. "I support my tenant. Jenifer is a great tenant and a good person." 

The association could not be reached for comment.

Raymond, 39, is a mother of three who said she began living as a lesbian six years ago.  

"What's important to me, is a lot of what gay youth are facing today," she said. "There's still a lot of bullying in the schools. I belong to Space Coast Pride to help promote acceptance. That's what the flag stands for."

The emails Posada received about the flag had started because he was inquiring about putting in a new roof. Then he received an email from the same association representative about the rainbow flag violating community standards. Posada responded that the association's rules didn't prohibit such a flag, and he found a state statute preventing HOAs from limiting which flags can be erected at a home.

The board representative responded with an excerpt from the community's ground maintenance section. It states "no weeds, vegetation, rubbish, debris, garbage, objects, waste, or materials of any kind whatsoever shall be placed or permitted to accumulate upon any portion of a lot, which would render it unsanitary, unsightly, offensive, or detrimental to the subdivision."

The flag was considered an "object" and had been declared "offensive," the board representative said. 

Watch News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates.


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