Newcastle council approves annual June raising of pride flag in 4-3 vote

Newcastle City Council voted 4-3 on May 20 to adopt Resolution 2025-10-42, authorizing the annual raising of the pride flag at Newcastle City Hall each year during the month of June.

The issue drew a packed chamber and more than two hours of public comment, with dozens of residents and clergy speaking both for and against the measure. Proponents said the flag signals inclusion and can help protect LGBTQ+ youth; opponents said municipal flagpoles should display only flags representing the entire community.

Supporters told the council the gesture is low-cost and symbolically important. Councilmember Ariana Sherlock, who moved the resolution, said the city “will still raise the American flag and the state flag and the POW flag ... those will all be higher than the pride flag on the flagpole,” and argued the measure does not exclude other flags or symbols. Pastor Jillian Cresci, who identified herself as queer, told the council that “a pride flag is such a simple gesture that goes a long way, and it’s life-affirming care.” An online commenter, Diane, said: “I think to support people who are feeling marginalized right now, it would be a wonderful gesture to fly it.”

Opponents argued the flag is divisive and that City Hall should remain neutral. Councilmember Griffin said municipal business should focus on core services, calling the flag “not city business.” Several residents and speakers urged reliance on voluntary, community-hosted celebrations rather than an official flag. Councilmember Quigg and Mayor Clark voted against the resolution.

The roll-call vote recorded councilmembers Burford, Sherlock, Charbonneau and Deputy Mayor Lakota in favor; councilmembers Griffin, Quigg and Mayor Clark opposed. The motion passed, 4-3.

The council and public referenced prior actions and context: several nearby jurisdictions and partner public-safety agencies raise pride flags in June; speakers also referred to the city’s mission and to the mental-health data cited by proponents about LGBTQ youth. Councilmember Paul Charbonneau reviewed past election results on related social issues, noting that Newcastle supported Washington’s 2012 referendum expanding marriage rights.

The adopted resolution authorizes an annual, month-long raising of the pride flag in June. Councilmembers and staff said the American flag, state flag and POW/MIA flag will remain the highest flags on the pole when those are displayed.

The debate produced strong public engagement and is likely to stay part of local conversation. The council did not adopt any additional restrictions or a change to the city’s flag policy as part of the vote. Implementation details — such as scheduling, logistics, and any written procedure for future flag requests — were not spelled out in the resolution and were not specified during the meeting.