Rainbow Flag Goes To Court
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(December 3, Oklahoma City) A federal judge will be asked to decide if flying the Rainbow Flag is covered by the First Amendment. 

The Cimarron Alliance Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit alleging its free speech rights were violated by a policy that keeps its banners off city flag poles.

The foundation says the city policy is discriminatory and violates its equal protection rights.

Oklahoma City turned down an application to display Rainbow banners during Gay and Lesbian History Month in October. 

Under a policy put into effect last August after people complained about Rainbow banners flying from city flag poles to mark Pride celebration, organizations are prohibited from using city light poles or benches to promote social, religious or political issues.

The banners the group planned to display would have showed its logo and the names of gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals who have made significant contributions to music, art, literature and culture.

The lawsuit argues the new policy's "vagueness permits discretion which allows viewpoint discrimination and sweeps into what otherwise would be protected constitutional activity."