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Verona council reaffirms support for LGBTQIA+ community, will fly Progress Pride flag in 2026
Summary
After extended public comment featuring students, teachers and residents both for and against, the Verona Common Council adopted a resolution to display the Progress Pride flag at designated municipal facilities during 2026 to signal inclusion and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Verona Common Council voted to adopt Resolution 25-036 to fly the Progress Pride flag at designated city facilities during 2026, framing the action as a public expression of inclusion for LGBTQIA+ residents.
Supporters made the case that visible civic symbols reduce isolation and can improve safety for young people. "There's nothing you can say. There's no, it's going to be okay. The only thing I could say to that is that you can only answer those questions by doing something," said Skyler Frankie, a Verona Area High School teacher and GSA advisor, in public comment. High-school students and other residents described mental-health impacts and urged the council to keep the flag on municipal poles in 2026.
Opponents said the city flagpole should display governmental flags and not private or social-movement banners, arguing a citywide flag can signal preferential treatment. "The American flag represents all of us," said Cindy Kendi during public comment, urging impartiality. Other speakers suggested periodic review rather than a permanent decision.
Council members emphasized different reasons for supporting the resolution: symbolic support for marginalized residents, safety and a city identity of inclusion. Council members also acknowledged the divisive nature of symbolic actions but weighed that against reported benefits to vulnerable residents who said the flag made them feel safer. After extended discussion the council approved the resolution by voice vote.
The resolution directs staff to display the Progress Pride flag at the city’s designated municipal locations during 2026. The council did not attach additional funding or programmatic changes to the vote; it is a declarative policy action to signal support and inclusion.
The council recorded no formal amendments to the resolution. Supporters asked staff to continue outreach and to note that some residents unable to speak at the meeting had submitted written comments.
