Village should fly the Pride flag

Earlier this month, Mount Prospect issued a proclamation to honor Pride Month. The proclamation should be commended, but it’s time to fly the Pride Flag at village hall.

There’s been an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ policies and rhetoric nationwide in recent months. Already-vulnerable communities continue to face threats to their very identity and fundamental rights. Just last year in Mount Prospect, 11 teens were charged with felony crimes, including hate crimes, after they used a dating app to lure and violently attack two gay men.

Flying the Pride flag sends a reassuring message that the LGBTQ+ community is welcome, safe and supported in Mount Prospect.

The argument that’s often made to not fly the flag is that it could set a precedent to honor all other flag requests. That reasoning is inconsistent with Supreme Court rulings on flag displays under the First Amendment. Having already issued a Pride proclamation, flying the flag would complement an already established position of the village. It’s an expression of government speech, not the creation of a forum for private expression by all individuals and groups. The village can address this by creating a policy that designates the Pride flag as a recognized flag in the village and sets parameters for flag requests. Mount Prospect can look to neighboring towns that have established similar policies and now fly the Pride flag on public properties and throughout their communities.

Pride Month is about raising awareness and reaffirming support of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about ensuring everyone knows they are respected and accepted here, regardless of who they are or who they love. It’s about visibility and promoting community and belonging. Let’s fly the Pride flag and continue to build a welcoming and inclusive village.

Trisha Chokshi

Mount Prospect