Bob Bolus refiled a lawsuit to get the pride flag, which is a symbol of support for LGBTQ+ people and inclusivity, removed from Scranton City Hall and barred from display at all government buildings in Lackawanna County.
The city has been flying a rainbow-motif pride flag on a flagpole at the municipal building at 340 N. Washington Ave. since June 1 for the annual commemoration of Pride Month.
Bolus initially filed a lawsuit June 6 in Lackawanna County Court on a pro-se basis, meaning representing himself without an attorney, in a legal attempt to compel the removal of the pride flag from City Hall, as well as having it barred from display there and at all government buildings in the county. Also on June 6, Lackawanna County Judge Terrence Nealon dismissed Bolus’ lawsuit on various procedural errors, including that he did not properly file or serve the action or name defendants. Nealon dismissed the case “without prejudice,” meaning Bolus could try to do it again properly.
The Pride flag outside of City Hall in Scranton on Monday, June 16, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
On June 9, Bolus filed a new lawsuit in county court, again on a pro-se basis, and again seeking a court order requiring the removal of the pride flag from public display at Scranton City Hall and barring its display there and at “all public buildings within the jurisdiction of Lackawanna County.”
The new lawsuit names as defendants the city, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and Scranton City Council members, who are council President Gerald Smurl, Bill King, Mark McAndrew, Jessica Rothchild and Tom Schuster, all individually and in their official capacities as municipal elected officials. The mayor and council members are all Democrats.
Bolus also named as a defendant, individually and in his official capacity, Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan, who is a Democrat.
Bolus, who is a Republican, did not name Republican Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak as a defendant. In a phone interview Monday, Bolus said he named only Gaughan because he is the chairman of the commissioners.
Bob Bolus Sr. (COURTESY OF BOB BOLUS SR.)
Scranton City Solicitor Jessica Eskra declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying the city would respond in court.
Lackawanna County Solicitor Donald Frederickson said in a statement, “Mr. Bolus’ frivolous action has been denied by the court on its own motion,” and thus Frederickson believes Bolus would have to ask the court for reconsideration to refile.
Some of the claims in Bolus’ lawsuit include:
• Scranton City Council, the mayor and Lackawanna County commissioners “are responsible for the decision to raise and display the Pride Flag at Scranton City Hall.”
• Title 16, Chapter 161 Section 27 of state law regarding display of municipal flags on county buildings says: “It shall be lawful to display the flag of any county, city, borough or other municipality in the Commonwealth or the official POW/MIA flag on the public buildings or grounds of any county;” and thus the state does not specifically authorize the display of a pride flag on public grounds.
• The pride flag is a “catalyst” for political and social division; and it is not inclusive “as it does not represent” all citizens of the city or county.
• The pride flag has become a political symbol associated with the Democratic Party; as well as “a symbol of sexual orientation, sexual practices and a sexual lifestyle” that is “abhorrent to a significant number of people due to religious and personal beliefs;” and it is not neutral or appropriate for display on public buildings.
The filing and refiling of the lawsuit comes amid controversy aired at recent city council meetings.
On June 10, Smurl apologized for not stopping derogatory remarks made during public comment at the June 3 weekly council meeting. The apology was a response to comments by Bolus made June 3 opposing having the rainbow flag displayed at City Hall, as well as other remarks that Bolus directed at a pro-LGBTQ+ resident Angela Ramone. Residents also came out to council’s June 10 meeting to express support for LGBTQ+ people and condemn hate speech, while Bolus said, “I make no excuse for last week,” according to an Electric City Television simulcast and video of the weekly meeting posted online.
I am an older gay guy in a long-term wonderful relationship. My spouse and I are in our 36th year together. I love politics and news. I enjoy civil discussions and have no taboo subjects. My pronouns are he / him / his and my email is Scottiestoybox@gmail.com
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5 thoughts on “Bob Bolus sues Scranton to get LGBTQ+ pride flag removed from City Hall”
If I knew how to contact Mr Bolus, I’d send him a photo of our new rainbow coloured teapot which Sheila ordered just yesterday, to brighten up our kitchen..
Hi Roger. I think you would break his brain. And I love the idea. But have you heard the new idea businesses have to sell more products to maga? A bunch of companies are putting tRump’s picture on normal household appliances. Specifically the one of him after the glass fragments cut his ear and he stood up and raised his fist. The businesses see how gullible maga cult is and how they buy anything with tRump’s name on it. Hugs
• The pride flag is a “catalyst” for political and social division; and it is not inclusive “as it does not represent” all citizens of the city or county.
Precisely a good reason for PRIDE month. I don’t know how else to deliver this message to a person’s brain. He stated it himself, and still doesn’t get it. (I know that wasn’t his purpose. Still, those are his words, and are one of the reasons we observe PRIDE month: to promote inclusion of all, and heal division. To make sure that all citizens of cities and counties are included and represented. Sheesh.)
Hi Ali. I did not think of it until I publish the post that these same people love to fly the confederate battle flag, the Gladsden Flag saying don’t treat on me. My thought is all these attacks on pride events and flags is just to remove anything that doesn’t reenforce heteronormativity. Heteronormativity is the definition of heterosexuality as the normative human sexuality. It assumes the gender binary and that sexual and marital relations are most fitting between people of the opposite sex. Heteronormativity creates and upholds a social hierarchy based on sexual orientation with the practice and belief that heterosexuality is deemed as the societal norm. That is what they are trying to enforce. That is why it is ok to have little children in clothing that is sexually suggestive as long as it is heteronormative. Book, movies, and daily life of men and women holding hands, teens dating, boys and girls kissing, going on dates and prom are all great good and grand as long as they are different sex couples. It is all good as long as it is a boy and girl dressed in stereotypical role clothing. Anything other than that must be erased as a threat for sexualizing the children. And right now the people that feel that way seem to be winning. Hugs
UPDATED:
Scottie's Playtime 
If I knew how to contact Mr Bolus, I’d send him a photo of our new rainbow coloured teapot which Sheila ordered just yesterday, to brighten up our kitchen..
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Hi Roger. I think you would break his brain. And I love the idea. But have you heard the new idea businesses have to sell more products to maga? A bunch of companies are putting tRump’s picture on normal household appliances. Specifically the one of him after the glass fragments cut his ear and he stood up and raised his fist. The businesses see how gullible maga cult is and how they buy anything with tRump’s name on it. Hugs
LikeLiked by 2 people
Another ‘why am I not surprised’
You are spot on Scottie.
The ol’ snake oil merchants never went away. There are always ‘rubes’ they can fleece.
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• The pride flag is a “catalyst” for political and social division; and it is not inclusive “as it does not represent” all citizens of the city or county.
Precisely a good reason for PRIDE month. I don’t know how else to deliver this message to a person’s brain. He stated it himself, and still doesn’t get it. (I know that wasn’t his purpose. Still, those are his words, and are one of the reasons we observe PRIDE month: to promote inclusion of all, and heal division. To make sure that all citizens of cities and counties are included and represented. Sheesh.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ali. I did not think of it until I publish the post that these same people love to fly the confederate battle flag, the Gladsden Flag saying don’t treat on me. My thought is all these attacks on pride events and flags is just to remove anything that doesn’t reenforce heteronormativity. Heteronormativity is the definition of heterosexuality as the normative human sexuality. It assumes the gender binary and that sexual and marital relations are most fitting between people of the opposite sex. Heteronormativity creates and upholds a social hierarchy based on sexual orientation with the practice and belief that heterosexuality is deemed as the societal norm. That is what they are trying to enforce. That is why it is ok to have little children in clothing that is sexually suggestive as long as it is heteronormative. Book, movies, and daily life of men and women holding hands, teens dating, boys and girls kissing, going on dates and prom are all great good and grand as long as they are different sex couples. It is all good as long as it is a boy and girl dressed in stereotypical role clothing. Anything other than that must be erased as a threat for sexualizing the children. And right now the people that feel that way seem to be winning. Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person