By Jim Keithley
Sentry staff
    South Portland City Councilor David Jacobs says he's being bullied by a small group of residents because he's gay.
    Jacobs recently came under fire after he said the city should enforce an ordinance that prohibits the display of yellow ribbons on city-owned property. On the other side of this battle is Valorie Swiger. An outspoken resident whose son is serving in the war with Iraq. Last spring Swiger made and hung hundreds of yellow ribbons around the city in honor of her son, Jason, and others serving in the military. She was recently told that her ribbons had to be removed from city-owned property and public utility poles. Swiger has attended every city council meeting since, to protest and demand an amendment to the ordinance. During last Tuesday's meeting she said she has no intention of removing her yellow ribbons.
    "I am not and refuse to be in fear of you for standing for a cause that is right, just and welcomed by the majority of this city, this state and this country," she told the council.
    Swiger said she contacted the human relations departments at both Verizon and Central Maine Power Company and was granted permission to hang her yellow ribbons.
    "The man at Verizon said he had no problem, in fact, he said he had far better things to do than worry about a yellow ribbon on a telephone pole," Swiger said. "The lady from CMP told me since September 11, they've really turned a blind eye on patriotic symbols," she said.
    Swiger's comments then turned personal. She said she received a phone call from a veteran.
    “One gentleman said a fund should be started for the SJTI," Swiger said. "I was a little puzzled and said what does that mean," she said. "He said, 'that means in short translation; send Mr. Jacobs to Iraq.'"
    Jacobs was visibly upset and left council chambers.
    Another woman stood at the podium and blasted Councilor Jacobs.
    Geraldine Bissonnette stood and criticized Jacobs for changing his name from David Swander to David Jacobs during the election.
    "He was David Swander and many of us out here . . . we didn't know who Jacobs was," Bissonette said. She told the crowd that Jacobs deceived the voters.
    "I think he needs to resign and do the city a favor," she said.
Moments later, Jacobs returned to council chambers and took to the podium.
    "I never imagined I'd be on this side of the podium," Jacobs said.
"It's been a long time since I felt like I've been in the playground, in the sandbox being bullied," he said.
    Jacobs blasted Swiger and Bissonette for creating a "very divisive United States."
    "It's a group that's very small and unless you march in-line, you don't belong and they threaten to send you to other countries," he said.
Jacobs then said this "small group" is against him because of his sexual orientation.
    "I wish that I could serve our country," he said. "But as the detractors in the audience know, I'm gay, I can't."
    "I'm sorry that I'm gay, I wish I had an option, but I do not," he said. "I understand that a lot of the hatred that is directed my way is because of that simple fact. I can't change that."
    Jacobs went on to explain why he changed his name from Swander to Jacobs.
    "The reason I changed my name is exactly because of September eventh," he said. "There were many gay and lesbian families that perished in those same twin towers and on those airplanes that went unnoticed and unrecognized," Jacobs said. "I was deeply affected, as many Americans were," he said. "I didn't want to die with my partner, without the world understanding what we meant to each other. The only thing, legally, that I could do to show the world that we mattered to each other, that we were a family, was to take his last name. I will never apologize for that."
    Jacobs ended by saying he would not resign his position on the city council.
    "I will continue serving all of our residents of South Portland," he said. "Being cruel and inhumane has no place in our city or our country."
    Following the meeting, Swiger said Jacob's sexuality has nothing to do with this issue.
    "I respect David, his position and who he is," she said. "But he should respect the majority of the people who live in this city who really enjoy the yellow ribbons," she said.