Background:
COVID-19 has created an environment of fear, social isolation, and an unexpected impact on our mental health, even more so for the vulnerable members of the community.
In 2020, the LGBTQIA+ Commission of San Mateo County started inviting all cities and towns in San Mateo County to support the LGBTQIA+ community by recognizing Pride Month (June). In 2021, all 20 cities issued a Proclamation and raised the flag in the month of June.
We invite all cities to participate annually and encourage local businesses, schools, school districts, non-profits, libraries, parks and residents to fly their Progress Pride Flag during the month of June.
On this page, there are additional simple suggestions that intended to bring visibility and inclusion to your area and for residents of all backgrounds. This visibility and inclusion allows LGBTQIA+ residents to know that they are seen and they belong. During this time of increased book bans and anti-LGBQIA+ and anti-Trans legislation action, we need these simple acts of visibility create a deeper sense of connection and inclusion for everyone in the community.
Raise the LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride Flag for the month of June
The LGTBQIA+ Pride Flag has been part of the LGBTQIA+ movement since 1978, designed by Gilbert Baker at the request of Harvey Milk (the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States).
The LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride Flag is what we are now raising at County Center. The Progress Pride Flag was designed in 2018 by artist Daniel Quasar, adding a 5-colored chevron to the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag to place a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression. The newer Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag shares the same design as the Progress Pride Flag with an added triangle containing the Intersex Pride Flag's design.
The LGBTQIA+ community and allies use the Rainbow Flag as an outward symbol of their identity or support. Including the LGBTQIA+ Progress Pride Flag highlights that your city is a leader in the fight for equal rights, and that you will continue to protect and expand the rights of everyone in your area.
What do all the colors and shapes mean? The black and brown stripes represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, community members lost to HIV/AIDS, and those currently living with HIV/AIDS. The white, pink, and blue stripes represent the transgender community. the yellow with purple circle represents the intersex community. The chevron represents a need for forward movement. The redesigned flag aims to draw attention to the need to center and support black and brown queer and trans people, as well as those living with HIV/AIDS.
Pride Month Proclamation
Another key step your city can take to support LGBTQIA+ residents is to issue a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month. Members of the LGBTQIA+ Commission, Pride Initiative and Pride Center would make themselves available to accept your proclamation.
Annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration
We invite you to join us for the Annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration and the new Pride Parade! Please view our News & Events page for information about the next Pride Celebration.
LGBTQIA+ symbols on your website
A Short History of Pride posted on your website
Please feel welcome to use the content in quotations or use the downloadable image (History of Pride) that we have created already for you.
History of Pride
“The month of June was chosen for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred on June 28,1969. In San Francisco a similar riot had taken place two years before at the Black Cat Tavern, and years before at the Compton Cafeteria (SF), in 1966. Same-Sex intimacy was illegal, there were routine riots in gay bars and arbitrary arrests. It was common for people to lose their jobs if outed. The community was getting fed up. Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Morris Knight and Bob Humphries founded Christopher Street West in Los Angeles, CA to advocate for gay rights. One of their first events was a march in LA, declared “Christopher Street Liberation Day.” It was a march for justice, a political protest. That same day people marched in San Francisco and held a ‘gay in’ in Golden Gate Park. There was no going back, and people worked tirelessly for years to gain equal protections and rights. In 2015 Same-sex marriage was finally recognized across the United States. Today there is a growing celebration of the LGBTQIA+ people who live and work in our communities.”
Content provided by Rev Terri Echelbarger, Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo and formally of Many Journeys MCC and the LGBTQ Commission of San Mateo County
Links to County LGBTQIA+ organizations on your website
- Behavioral Health & Recovery Services: https://www.smchealth.org/bhrs
- Office of Diversity & Equity: https://www.smchealth.org/office-diversity-equity
- Coastpride: https://coastpride.org/
- Pride Initiative: https://www.smchealth.org/pride-initiative
- San Mateo County Pride Center: https://sanmateopride.org/
- Outlet, Adolescent Counseling Services: https://www.acs-teens.org/what-we-do/outlet/
- LGBTQIA+ Commission: https://smcgov.org/lgbtqia
As part of supporting the local LGBTQIA+ community in San Mateo County, we are happy to support your city’s efforts and ask that you contact us with any questions or if you need help with these recommendations. The LGBTQIA+ Commission meets monthly on the third Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30PM at the San Mateo County Pride Center. Access information, agenda and contact information on the LGBTQIA+ Commission website (http://smcgov.org/lgbtqia) --we welcome your attendance and look forward to your partnership in supporting the LGBTQIA+ residents of San Mateo County!