The LGTBQ Pride Flag has been part of the LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ Progress Pride Flag is what we are now recommending to be raised. 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 LGBTQ community and allies use the Rainbow Flag as an outward symbol of their identity or support.  Including the LGBTQ 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.

Adobe Stock Image of Progress Pride Flag

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 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.

Another key step your city can take to support LGBTQ residents is to issue a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month.  Members of the LGBTQ Commission, Pride Initiative and Pride Center would make themselves available to accept your proclamation.

Pride Month Proclamation Template

We invite you to join us for the Annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration, please view our News & Events page for information about the next Pride Celebration.

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 LGBTQ+ 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 LGBTQ+ people who live and work in our communities.”
 

Content provided by Rev Terri Echelbarger, Many Journeys MCC & LGBTQ Commission of San Mateo County

• 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/
• LGBTQ Commission: https://smcgov.org/lgbtq

As part of supporting the local LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ Commission meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30PM. Access information, agenda and contact information on the LGBTQ Commission website (http://smcgov.org/lgbtq)  --we welcome your attendance and look forward to your partnership in supporting the LGBTQ residents of San Mateo County!