For J.R. and Robin knight, owning a bed and breakfast is everything they've always wanted. "We came here in search of our dreams, my wife always wanted a bed and breakfast and I always wanted a restaurant," says California native J.R. Knight.

But recently their dream has turned into a nightmare, all because of a flag they're flying outside. “It's a rainbow flag - to some people it means friendship to some people it means gay pride," says Knight. But for knight, it was just a souvenir from his 12-year-old son.

Knight says the local Meade newspaper is trying to put him out of business and was frustrated when it ran an article about the flag and did not even bother to contact him regarding why he put it up. In fact, most people we spoke to in Meade said they didn’t even know what the flag meant until the article ran. But once word got around, the reaction was harsh.

Knight says the radio station has called him threatening to remove the restaurant’s commercials if he does not remove the flag. A local pastor stopped by said it was equivalent to hanging women’s panties on a flag pole. When Knight jokingly said he might consider that – the preacher said he would have him arrested.

His business has suffered - down to only a few local customers. The folks in Meade who've boycotted say it's too offensive for them to eat there.

Local resident, Keith Klassen says the flag is a slap in the face to the conservative community of Meade. “To me it's just like running up a Nazi flag in a Jewish neighborhood. I can't walk into that establishment with that flag flying because to me that's saying that I support what the flag stands for and I don't," says Klassen.

Knight says it's not meant to be a gay pride symbol but he doesn't mind if that's how it's taken.
“Any gay or lesbian people that do stop by will be treated with the best service I can give you," says Knight

But despite the local ridicule and loss of business, Knight is determined to stand his ground. “When this rainbow flag shreds, I will buy another one, and another one, and another one - just like my American flag, I'll buy another one."

Knight says his son gave him the flag after a trip to Dorothy's house, a museum about the Wizard of Oz. The flag reminded the boy of "somewhere over the rainbow."

link (with video)


this is so unbelievably retarded.

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They did NOT just compare a gay pride flag to the motherfucking nazi flag.

another reason why im so glad i grew up in California

http://www.lakewayhotel.com/

That's their website, if you want to call them and give them a "thanks, keep on" they have a number at the bottom. I'm going to in the morning.

thanks for that, im going to email them.

oh neat. i may have to do that.

and yes, apparently gays = nazis now. i'm going to have to shave myself a hitler 'stache.

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that could be sorta hot.

Yeah, I mean everyone knows that Hitler fully supported groups of people that there was suddenly a "moral issue" with. He had total balls and when the shit hit the fan, too, it's not like he ran and hid in a bunker or anything, he stood out there with his Nazi flag, fully supporting the [insert oppressed minority here]s, while also still inviting Conservatives to his Bed and Breakfast, I mean...

Yeah. Kansas is one of the few states that, while living in Oklahoma, I can say "well at least I'm not living [there]."

not on me.

you know, all i can say is that at least the nazis were OPEN with their bigotry. the conservative christians are still trying to sugar-coat it. it's gross.

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well if you're ever in need of some discrimination, you can always come to texas.

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It sure did.

I bet that person has no problem with the confederate flag

They're going to need a lot more sugar.

Texas gets stated as the state that my family is just happy not to be living in the most. It's become a thing wehre after we say "I hate Oklahoma" we generally try to stay positive by saying something like that. Sorry that you're in Texas. But you have a lot of Mexican food there, and good sweet tea, so... Those are positives.

Not if they use oil as a filler.

1 part sugar, 2 parts oil. That's bound to be a sticky mess.

Those people have a lot of that on hand.

Unfortunately, racist homophobic rednecks usually get their way...so it will either close from lack of business or an "accidental" fire.

well at least your state has a musical.

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wheres my shotgun when i need it?

that shit is so fucked up. why the hell should he go out of business because of hte type of flag he fucking flies. no matter what its interpretted as. you hear stupider stuff every day.

don't make fun of the rainbow!