Members of Salisbury/Rowan PFLAG were prohibited from taking part in the Holiday Caravan parade Wednesday because they were displaying symbols of their organization.

PFLAG does a tremendous amount of good in our county for people in the LGBTQ community, who are often marginalized. I have personally witnessed the positive impact of their scholarships, mentoring and support in the lives of individuals and families across our county.

The slogan for this year’s parade was, “It is a tradition. It is an event you do not want to miss.” As a lifelong Rowan resident, I have attended numerous Holiday Caravan parades with my wife and child, but bigotry can no longer be accepted as a “tradition” in our county. Until this prejudice is rectified, this will certainly be an event that I will miss.

— Bob Johnsen

Jesse Carson High Faculty Advisor,
Gay-Straight Alliance