Jefferson County proclaims June 2025 LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, adopts county Pride flag

Jefferson County commissioners on June 10 declared June 2025 LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and unveiled a Jefferson County–branded Pride flag to fly at county facilities for the month.

Commissioner Leslie Dahlkemper, who opened the meeting, said the board “proudly and unapologetically support[s] our LGBTQIA+ plus community” and urged residents and county staff to hold officials accountable for inclusive policies. Commissioner Zenzinger said the county stands “shoulder to shoulder” with LGBTQIA+ neighbors and cited support for federal protections such as the Equality Act.

Marika Sitz, Jefferson County’s diversity, equity and inclusion manager, framed the proclamation as a public-health and safety initiative. Sitz introduced pronoun use, described the variety of identities encompassed by LGBTQIA+, and cited mental-health findings in urging visible signs of safety. “Respect of [someone’s] pronoun…can help prevent a suicide attempt,” she said during remarks urging training, community awareness and visible markers of safety.

The proclamation text adopted by the board recognizes the Stonewall riots as a foundational event in the U.S. LGBTQIA+ civil-rights movement and declares Jefferson County’s commitment to protecting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ residents. Commissioners invited attendees to join a brief photo with the flag in the building atrium after the reading.

The action was ceremonial; the board did not take regulatory steps at the meeting beyond adopting the proclamation and arranging public visibility events. Officials directed residents seeking more information to outreach resources cited during the meeting.