The Progress Pride flag will be flown, for the first time, over Los Angeles County buildings during June’s Pride Month, starting June 1.
The issue was approved by a 5–0 vote in March by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The motion requires the display of the flag over libraries, fire, and sheriff’s stations, and all county facilities alongside the United States and California flags.
“Here in Los Angeles County, we’re making our position clear: in the largest county in the nation, LGBTQ+ residents have the unwavering support of their government,” the motion’s author Chair of the Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn said in a statement the day the order was approved.
Co-author Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who is the former mayor of West Hollywood—a city with a large LGBT population, also expressed her support for flying the flag.
“Raising the Progress Pride Flag at Los Angeles County facilities signals the County’s commitment to inclusion, fostering safe spaces, and embracing love in all our communities,” Horvath said.
Huntington Beach Bans Non-Governmental Flag for Equal Representation: City Officials
The motion was brought forward by Hahn and Horvath weeks after the City of Huntington Beach voted to overturn the display of any non-governmental flags, including the pride flag, at city facilities.
“While much progress and inclusion has occurred over the decades, some governing bodies have voted to ban displays of the Pride flag,” the motion reads, regarding Huntington Beach’s decision.
Huntington Beach councilors who supported the ban said that their decision shows equal representation of the city and its residents.
“By definition, inclusion represents everyone equally, as an American, a resident of California, a resident of Orange County, a resident of Huntington Beach,” Councilman Casey McKeon said during a February meeting, when the city voted on the issue.
Residents gather in front of the city hall as Huntington Beach city officials talk about housing policy issues in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Feb. 14, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Residents from Los Angeles County also shared their opinion regarding flying the flag at the supervisors meeting.
“In light of the recent upsurge in anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ legislation, and the cancellation and erasure of African American history, I thank you for taking a stance to welcome us all and letting the world know that you will stand beside us and protect us,” Renay Grace Rodriguez said during public comment.
But others expressed their objection.
“As a LA County resident, I strongly oppose flying any flag other than the United States flag over and of our government buildings,” Barbara Long said.
Pride Flag Taking Precedent Over State Flag in LA County
Some have questioned if the pride flag might potentially take the place of California’s in some locations after an internal Los Angeles County Fire Department email was posted on Twitter.
According to the leaked document, if a pole has only two places for a flag, the pride flag would be displayed along with the U.S. flag in place of the state flag.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department did not reply to a request for comment by press deadline.
The Progress Pride flag was designed in 2018 by American artist Daniel Quasar. It is a variation of the original pride flag that incorporates additional representation of the transgender population and LGBT communities of color.
The original pride flag was first seen in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade in June 1978, according to the motion.
