West Hollywood is defending its decision to lower trans and Progress Pride flags to half-staff in memory of Turning Point USA founder and right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. The decision to do so sparked controversy, prompting the city to issue a statement claiming that “the City’s action should not be interpreted as an expression of alignment with, or endorsement of, Mr. Kirk’s political views or actions.”
Instead, the lowering of the flags was in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump on September 10. Under the proclamation, Trump ordered that all flags should be lowered to half-staff “at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States” through September 14.
In the statement shared by West Hollywood, the city acknowledged that “there has been concern in the community” due to the flags being lowered to half mast. Per the WeHo Times, someone reportedly placed a sign in Matthew Shepard Square where the pride flags were lowered. The sign read, “Shame on West Hollywood for lowering our flags in honor of a racist, transphobic, homophobic, Nazi-loving monster.”
west hollywood (@WeHoCity) lowering their pride flags to half-mast to honor a racist, homophobic, transphobic podcast host who spent his life organizing this generation’s nazi youth… shameful, bizarre, & embarrassing pic.twitter.com/k7Wh8mINDD
— tyler oakley (twitch.tv/tyleroakley) (@tyleroakley) September 14, 2025
Online, people had a similar reaction to the city’s decision. On X, YouTuber and activist Tyler Oakley called the city’s decision “shameful, bizarre, & embarrassing.” Another content creator, the Notorious JTB wrote, “West Hollywood and Fire Island lowered Pride and trans flags for Charlie Kirk. The man spent his life attacking LGBTQ+ people. That is not respect. That is betrayal.”
A third X user wrote, “Flying the pride flag half-mast for a homophobe is performance art in self-betrayal.”
West Hollywood city officials also suggested that they will be reviewing the city’s policies in the coming weeks. “The discussion that has emerged within the community about when and whether the City should follow established policy is important,” the statement reads. “The City values this dialogue, and we recognize the importance of ensuring that community values are reflected in the City’s actions. In the coming weeks, the West Hollywood City Council will discuss this matter and will consider updates to the City’s policy regarding the lowering of flags to ensure that it appropriately reflects the values of the West Hollywood community.”
