South San Francisco, CA May 18, 2021 Submitted by SMC Supervisor Dave Pine
San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine
County LGBTQ Commission and Local Partners Celebrate Through Virtual and In Person Events
REDWOOD CITY – Today, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation declaring June 2021 as LGBTQQI2S Pride Month in San Mateo County and has ordered the Progress Pride Flag to be flown at County Center and other County facilities.
San Mateo County is a leader in the journey toward LGBTQQI2S equality having established the state’s first dedicated LGBTQ Commission in June 2014. The LGBTQ Commission of San Mateo County supports the development of policies, programs and resources that help create a community in which LGBTQQI2S people are treated fairly and with dignity and respect.
“With the COVID pandemic revealing deep inequities in our society, it is more urgent than ever that we ensure all communities remain valued and welcome,” said Supervisor Dave Pine, who sponsored the proclamation. “The County is proud to lead the effort to celebrate Pride month including by flying the Progress Pride Flag at County buildings and supporting events throughout the month of June.”
The LGBTQ Commission is currently working with all 20 San Mateo County cities to raise visibility for the LGBTQ community through virtual events and other actions including flying the Progress Pride or Pride flag, approving proclamations declaring June as Pride Month, including Pride information on their websites, and promoting LGBTQ community services and programs. For a complete list of participating cities, visit https://lgbtq.smcgov.org/pride-visibility-information-materials. For more information about Pride events, visit www.smcpridecelebration.com.
“The recognition of Pride Month by the Board of Supervisors, especially the raising of the Progress Flag, is an affirming and inclusive expression to LGBTQ+ community members that equitable services are important in San Mateo County,” said LGBTQ Commission Co-Chair Dana Johnson.
“Recognizing LGBTQ Pride is a way to demonstrate that San Mateo County welcomes and values the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and wants all members to thrive,” said Commission Co-Chair Rebecca Carabez.
The month of June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that gave rise to the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights movement. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors annually issues the LGBTQQI2S proclamation in recognition of Pride Month. The Progress Pride Flag, which includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, as well as pink, light blue and white to represent the Transgender community, emphasizes inclusion for all within the larger LGBTQ community.