Update: James Parrish, Executive Director of the gay rights group Equality Virginia, has issued a statement praising the Fed’s decision.
“The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond should receive accolades for its decision to recognize and celebrate its GLBT employees, customers and vendors during Pride month,” he said. “It’s a private business and should be able to make its own personnel and corporate policy decisions without Bob Marshall’s guidance or the Family Foundation’s approval.”
Virginia Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William, wants Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Lacker to take down a rainbow-colored flag flying outside the building in recognition of gay pride month in June.
Badly.
“Flying the Homosexual Flag just under the American flag outside Richmond’s Federal Reserve Bank building is a serious deficiency of judgment by your organization, one not limited to social issues,” Marshall writes. “The Fed’s policies are supposed to ‘contribute to the strength and vitality of the U. S. economy,’ according to the official U.S. Government Organization manual. A flagpole in front of a federal building is not a commercial or political message board. What does flying the Homosexual Flag, or any other similar display, have to do with your central banking mission under the Federal Reserve Act passed by Congress?”
This certainly isn’t the first time Marshall has weighed in on issues regarding homosexuals – and likely won’t be the last.
A spokesman for the Richmond Fed said they are reviewing the letter and will craft a response.
