California city angers LGBT activists after voting to restrict flags on public property

California voters in the conservative city of Huntington Beach voted in favor of a measure that would restrict most flags on public property in a move that sparked anger from LGBT activists. 

The measure, which the Orange County town passed last week by about 58% to 42%, will only allow the U.S. flag, the California flag, the county flag, the city flag, the POW-MIA flag and flags of the six Armed Forces to be displayed, as well as the Olympic flag during the Summer Olympic games. Additionally, any other flag can be displayed if unanimously approved by the Huntington Beach City Council. 

The city council already approved an ordinance on the matter last year over outcry from LGBT groups, but it did not include a way for flags to be approved to fly in the future, unlike the measure brought before voters last week.

The measure not only prevents pride flags from being flown on public property, but also flags that relate to religion, breast cancer awareness, the Confederacy, Black Lives Matter and other causes. 

The LGBTQ Center OC, a county group that offers free pride flags to county residents and businesses, expressed opposition to the measure's approval. 

The group's president, Peg Corley, told a local NBC affiliate that the election sends the message of "We want LGBTQ people to be a little bit less seen and a lot less heard in Huntington Beach."

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