Montgomery County Executive Elrich and Council President Glass Join LGBTQ+ Leaders for Fifth Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony in Rockville

Speakers arrived in Montgomery County’s first #RideWithPride Ride On bus, which is wrapped with the Intersex Progress Flag and will be serving residents across the County throughout the month of June in honor of Pride. Learn more about the #RideWithPride bus on the Montgomery County Department of Transportation website.

Spearheaded by Council President Glass, this is the fifth year Montgomery County has formally recognized June as Pride Month. As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Montgomery County Council, Glass initiated this commemoration to promote inclusion and acceptance across the community.
“This is our 5th anniversary of raising the flag to signify the celebration of Pride Month, which is an opportunity to recognize the many contributions that our LGBTQ+ residents make every day and help shape who we are as a County,” said County Executive Elrich. “Unfortunately, there continue to be far too many unacceptable actions of discrimination, isolation, threats of violence and assaults that are happening around the Country and here in Montgomery County. I was proud to be a part of the Takoma Park City Council more than 30 years ago when we were one of the first in the nation to recognize same sex partnerships so that partners could be there for each other in the hospital at a time when most places refused to honor those relationships. We will continue to use this month to increase awareness and understanding and help people understand that at the end of the day we are all people. The more we understand and accept each other as human, the stronger we will be as a County and community.”

“During LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically,” said Council President Evan Glass. “Everyone should be able to live without fear of prejudice, discrimination, violence and hatred based on race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation, age and disability status. Pride Month is an opportunity to reaffirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people and protecting the most vulnerable among us.”

Montgomery County upholds the values of acceptance and inclusion of community members of all identities. Amid alarming rates of anti-LGTQ+ hate and attacks on LGBTQ+ rights across the nation, Montgomery County has strengthened protections of LGBTQ+ rights, including the passage of the LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights in 2020, and remains committed to protecting and uplifting LGBTQ+ residents. The flag raising ceremony recognizes the positive impact that LGBTQ+ residents have made in Montgomery County, across the state of Maryland and worldwide.

The Progress Pride Flag is an inclusive symbol that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color and pink, light blue and white stripes, which make up the Transgender Pride Flag.

Council President Glass will host a series of community events celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month. See the full list of upcoming Pride Month events.