Montgomery County Executive Elrich and Council Vice President Glass Join LGBTQ+ Leaders to Commemorate Pride Month with Flag Raising Ceremony in Rockville

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council Vice President Evan Glass, Councilmembers and members of the Montgomery Delegation to the General Assembly today joined LGBTQ+ community leaders to commemorate Pride Month by raising the Progress Pride Flag outside of the Executive Office Building in Rockville.

This is the fourth year Montgomery County has formally recognized June as Pride Month, an effort spearheaded by Council Vice President Glass to promote inclusion and acceptance across the community. Council Vice President Glass is the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Montgomery County Council.

“As we celebrate Pride Month, it is an important time for us to celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ residents,” said County Executive Elrich. “At the same time, we must recognize that many LGBTQ+ residents continue to deal with discrimination, isolation, threats of violence and assaults on their freedoms. One of our County’s greatest attributes is our commitment to inclusion, fostered by the belief that everyone, no matter their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identification, can live their lives without the bigotry and hatred they may face elsewhere. Our diversity makes us stronger as a County and as a community. I encourage all residents to participate in Pride Month events, gatherings and educational opportunities that the County government and our community partners will be hosting throughout the month.”

Council Vice President Glass said: “I’m so proud to host Montgomery County’s fourth annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month events. This is a time for celebration, reflection and unity. Pride Month is often the first time that some people are able to be their open and true selves in our community. This is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the beautiful diversity of Montgomery County and our commitment to inclusion and acceptance. As we continue our struggle for greater civil rights and liberties, this is the time to reflect on our progress and focus on the work ahead.”

Council President Gabe Albornoz said: “Our LGBTQ+ community is a pillar of strength. During Pride Month, we celebrate the numerous contributions of this resilient community and reaffirm our commitment to implement measures that will ensure that every LGBTQ+ resident is given support and treated with the dignity they deserve. Happy PRIDE!”

The Progress Pride Flag is an inclusive and powerful 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.

Montgomery County celebrates diversity and inclusion and supports community members of all identities. The flag raising recognizes the positive impact that LGBTQ+ residents have made in Montgomery County, the state of Maryland and worldwide.

Council Vice President Glass will host a series of community events celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month, as he has done for the last several years. A full list of upcoming Pride Month events can be found here.

Today’s flag raising ceremony can be viewed here.

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Release ID: 22-340
Media Contact: Barry Hudson 240-300-7348
Categories: Executive Office