The Newport Beach City Council formally distanced itself Tuesday from remarks Councilman Scott Peotter previously made denouncing same-sex marriage and the LGBT movement’s use of rainbow imagery. A vote for censure, however, was rejected by the dais, which instead favored a resolution for disassociation in a split 4 to 3 vote.
In support of the resolution was Mayor Pro Tem Diane Dixon, along with Council Members Edward Selich, Tony Petros, and Keith Curry, who brought the censure motion forward. The nay votes came from Kevin Muldoon, Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, and Poetter himself.
"We need to stop acrimony over something that is not a city issue," Dixon said. "It's time to move on and it's time to do so tonight."
The controversy all began in early July, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, and the White House’s subsequent display of rainbow colors in a show of solidarity.
"I do find it interesting that the homosexual movement adopted the rainbow as their symbol, as it was God's symbol that he wouldn't destroy the world by flood again," Councilman Scott Peotter wrote in an email blast to constituents, adding “maybe they are wishful thinking."
In addition to its controversial content, critics say the email could have easily been confused with official Newport Beach business because it contained an image of the city’s seal. To prevent confusion in the future, the council also voted Tuesday to limit the seal’s use to official business only, prohibiting any council member from using it for personal communication with constituents or for political or educational fundraising uses. An action that would have referred Peotter to the Orange County District Attorney’s office for use of the seal was also dropped.
Read more about Tuesday’s vote here.
Image Credit: Flickr User gazeronly, https://flic.kr/p/ebYMiU via (CC BY-ND 2.0)