Pride flags spark controversy after being displayed with veterans' tribute banners in Long Island town

A dispute over Pride flags and veterans' tribute banners has sparked controversy in a Long Island village after officials removed some Pride flags following complaints about their placement alongside banners honoring local military veterans.

Northport Mayor Donna Koch said she had the Pride flags removed after concerns were shared by the Northport American Legion over the Pride flags being displayed above "Hometown Heroes" banners honoring veterans, CBS News reported.

"I had the Pride flags removed. It had nothing to do with my feelings about the Pride community. I support them 100%. I also support our veterans," Koch said.

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ABC’s Eyewitness News reported Monday that American Legion Commander William McKenna told the outlet, "They were putting the pride banners above my veterans, and that does not work, sorry."

"If you put a pride flag by one of my veterans, I'm taking every one of them down," McKenna said.

ABC’s Eyewitness News reported that McKenna sent a letter to Koch and the village board which said, in part, "The concern being expressed is not at the pride flags themselves, nor is it intended to diminish the importance of recognizing any group within our community. Rather, many veterans and families feel that placing another banner above the veterans' banners diminishes the recognition and prominence that was originally intended for those who served our country."

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Jeff Cusick, treasurer for Northport Pridefest, called the situation "very offensive" in a quote published by CBS News.

"We love and support our vets, but the Hometown Heroes program was apparently given the rights to these lamp posts from May to November, which is the entire outdoor season, and that doesn't leave room for other community members. We believe it's a point to leverage patriotism for discrimination against us," Cusick added.

The outlet reported that the Pride flags and veterans' tribute banners are now being displayed separately, and that PrideFest organizers said they would hang the removed Pride flags on the vacant flagpoles at Village Hall during Tuesday night's meeting, with the mayor saying that the village would cover the cost of the necessary hardware.

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CBS News reported that Army veteran Bruce Adams said he has no issue with the Pride flags, but added, "The American flag should be superior to all other items. I looked up and saw my lamp post bare."

Resident Angel Deleva told CBS News, "Pride flags should not be above our veterans because they risked their lives for us."

Fox News Digital attempted to reach Koch, the Northport American Legion, and Northport Pridefest for comment but did not immediately receive responses.