Montgomery County Executive Elrich and Councilmember Glass Join LGBTQIA+ Leaders for Sixth Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony in Rockville

For Immediate Release: Monday, June 10, 2024

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Councilmember Evan Glass were joined by LGBTQIA+ community leaders, elected officials and community members today for the sixth annual Pride flag raising ceremony in Rockville to commemorate Pride Month.

The event’s keynote speakers included LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President and CEO Annise Parker, who is the former mayor of Houston and one of the first openly LGBTQIA+ mayors of a major U.S. city, Rev. Ali K.C. Bell of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church and SEIU 500 Executive Director Travis Simon.

Speakers, councilmembers and LGBTQIA+ community leaders arrived in the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s #RideWithPride Ride On bus, which is wrapped with the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag and will be serving residents across the County throughout the month of June.

“It is inspiring to see how this event has grown over the last six years,” said County Executive Elrich.  “This annual flag raising is an opportunity for us to celebrate the important role of the LGBTQIA+ community in  Montgomery County and highlight that we must continue to strive for equity and inclusion of all people, no matter their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We are far stronger when we stand together and that’s what makes this County so special.”

This year marks the sixth year Montgomery County has formally recognized June as Pride Month, an initiative spearheaded by Councilmember Glass, who is the first openly LGBTQIA+ member of the County Council.

“I am proud to live in a community that embraces its diversity and strives to be a more inclusive place for everyone," said Councilmember Glass. “By raising the Progress Pride Flag, we are celebrating the progress we've made while also focusing on the work ahead. As hate and violence are on the rise locally and nationwide, we must support our community and say clearly that hate has no home in Montgomery County."

Montgomery County proudly celebrates diversity and inclusion and supports community members of all identities. As state legislatures across the nation introduce harmful anti-LBTQIA+ legislation, Montgomery County has strengthened protections of LGBTQIA+ rights, including the passage of the LGBTQIA+ Bill of Rights in 2020, and seeks to be a safe haven where LGBTQIA+ residents are protected and supported. Today’s flag raising ceremony recognizes the positive impact that LGBTQIA+ residents have made in Montgomery County, Maryland and worldwide.

The Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag is an inclusive symbol that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, pink, light blue and white stripes to represent the Transgender community, and adds elements of the intersex flag to symbolize intersex inclusion.

Councilmember Glass is hosting a series of community events celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. A full list of upcoming Pride Month events can be found here.

View today’s flag raising ceremony on YouTube.   

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Release ID: 24-269
Media Contact: Barry Hudson 240-300-734
Categories: Executive Office