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Residents urge Los Gatos to fly a pride flag; vice mayor asks staff for options
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the council to adopt a policy allowing the town to raise a pride flag in June; speakers cited inclusion, youth mental-health data and examples from neighboring towns. Vice Mayor Moore asked staff to bring options for a policy to allow a pride flag raise in June 2026.
During verbal communications, multiple residents urged the council to raise a pride flag at Los Gatos civic facilities during June (Pride Month) as a public sign of inclusion and safety for LGBTQ+ residents. Speakers cited local and statewide examples, mental-health survey statistics for LGBTQ youth, and past incidents that left some residents feeling unsafe.
Public commenters included Maureen Heath, who said raising the flag would "give hope and inspiration for all of your LGBTQ adults," and other speakers who recounted personal experiences or organized activities in nearby jurisdictions. Several speakers urged the council to adopt an annual practice so the town would join neighboring cities already flying the flag.
After public comment, Vice Mayor Moore asked staff to return to council before the end of the calendar year with options to change the town's flag policy to allow the pride flag to be raised annually in June, with the specific request that changes be in place for June 2026. Mayor Hootis accepted the request as a future agenda item.
No formal policy vote occurred at this meeting; the council requested staff analysis and options for a future decision.
