Residents ask Palatine mayor to approve flying the Pride flag at village hall

Despite requests from residents, Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz and another village council member resisted efforts to fly the Pride flag outside of village hall during Pride Month in June.

During Monday’s village council meeting, residents said displaying the flag would send a lifesaving message of inclusion to LGBTQ+ youth.

Resident Chelsea Laliberte Barnes, a licensed clinical social worker and community advocate, called the gesture more than symbolic.

“We are living through a moment when LGBTQ+ people and particularly youth are watching the federal government strip away their protections, their visibility and their dignity in real time,” she said. “Many of my transgender friends have told me that they no longer believe their own government sees them as fully human.”

She said visibility saves lives, adding that research and her practice show LGBTQ+ youth fare better when they see themselves affirmed by schools, neighbors and local government.

“Silence communicates rejection, inaction communicates indifference,” Barnes said.

Barnes reviewed the village’s flag policy, and it grants the mayor discretion over flag use.

She said she appreciates the proclamations that have passed in honor of Pride Month, but added a paper with words risks nothing, while a flag is visible.

Schwantz has rejected previous efforts and remains unswayed.

“My position has not changed,” he said. “The most inclusive flag policy that we can have is the governmental flags that we fly here at Village Hall.”

“If the council wants to change that, four individuals would need to approach the village manager to place the issue on a future agenda,” he added.

Resident Deanna Santman asked the mayor if he is against flying the Pride flag.

Schwantz replied, “We are going to continue to provide world-class services. We are not interested in getting involved in a political fight.”

Resident Patti Hand asked Councilman Brad Helms, who represents her district, about his stance.

“I have the same stance as the mayor,” he said.