Lynnwood City Councilwoman Isabel Mata is now apologizing after she said that the American flag was ‘not relatable’ but the Pride flag was, and sparked widespread backlash.
In a statement to The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Mata attempted to walk back her remarks after video from the May 4 Lynnwood City Council meeting went viral.
“My comments were not a formal policy proposal,” Mata said. “I was speaking personally, as a queer woman, about what the pride flag means to me.”
“I was raising a broader question about how Lynnwood, the most diverse city in Snohomish County, might find additional ways to reflect its community,” she continued. “That question deserves a thoughtful public conversation, not a rushed answer from a dais.”
The controversy erupted after Mata declared during the council meeting, “To me, a pride flag is way more relatable than an American flag.”
NEW: Lynnwood, WA councilmember Isabel Mata: “To me, a pride flag is way more relatable than an American flag. I would not raise an American flag at my house because I wouldn't…I wasn't even born here. But I would raise a pride flag."pic.twitter.com/E1nYU7Fofk
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) May 6, 2026
“I would not raise an American flag at my house because I just, I wouldn’t. I wasn’t even born here. But I would raise a pride flag,” Mata said during the meeting.
Mata also questioned whether the 27 American flags displayed at Wilcox Park still reflect Lynnwood’s “current community values.”
“And as the most diverse city in all of Snohomish County, I don’t think that I’m the only one who, who would maybe choose to have 27 other flags in Flag Park,” Mata said at the meeting. “Does this park represent the values that were here in the 1960s when they established this park? Do we hold those same values now, and are they representative of Lynnwood as we see it today?”
She further argued that some of the flags represent “parts of American history that, frankly, are not great,” and suggested exploring alternatives that better represent the city’s “beautiful cultures and diverse backgrounds.”
“The last thing I want to say is yes, it’s a political statement, but our city logo is literally all are welcome in rainbow colors,” Mata added during the meeting. “We’ve already made a decision as a city where we stand politically.”
However, the official City of Lynnwood logo is a stylized blue “L” with concentric squares and is not rendered in rainbow colors. While the city has used separate “All Are Welcome” messaging in past initiatives, Mata’s claim about the city logo does not match Lynnwood’s adopted branding.
The remarks triggered immediate outrage from veterans, residents, and critics who accused Mata of disparaging the American flag just weeks before Memorial Day and amid the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Facing mounting criticism, Mata acknowledged her comments had offended many residents. “I apologize for the way I expressed myself, and I mean that sincerely,” Mata told KVI. “The American flag represents the sacrifices of veterans and military families, and the promise that drew immigrants like me to this country.”
STATEMENT FROM LYNNWOOD COUNCILMEMBER ISABEL MATA FOLLOWING HER REMARKS ABOUT THE AMERICAN FLAG VS PRIDE FLAG:
My comments were not a formal policy proposal. I was speaking personally, as a queer woman, about what the pride flag means to me. I was raising a broader question… https://t.co/CALI8TR4El
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) May 7, 2026
“I should have honored that more carefully in my remarks, and I did not,” she added. “I have deep respect for everyone who has served under that flag.”
Mata also attempted to clarify that she was not advocating replacing the American flag entirely, but rather discussing broader representation in public spaces. “I believe there is room, in a city as diverse as Lynnwood, to celebrate the many cultures, identities, and communities that make it great, alongside the American flag, not instead of it,” Mata said.
“Any formal changes to public spaces would go through a proper public process with full community input. That is how it should work.”
She closed her statement by directly addressing residents upset by her comments. “I hear you, and I am sorry that my words caused hurt. That was never my intention,” Mata said.
“What I want Lynnwood residents to know is that I am committed to serving every one of them — veterans, immigrants, families of every background — with the respect and dedication this community deserves,” she added. “I will keep showing up and doing that work.”
