Los Gatos council adopts commemorative-flag policy and OKs flying Progress Pride flag in June 2026

The Los Gatos Town Council on Feb. 17 moved to allow commemorative flags at a single Town Hall pole and approved a separate resolution to fly the Progress Pride flag in June 2026.

Town Manager Chris Constantine told council the proposed change to Council Policy 5‑02 would authorize commemorative displays only by council resolution, limit them to one designated pole on the Town Hall campus and cap the duration of any single display to 31 consecutive days. “Those flag poles that we maintain are not public forums,” Constantine said, describing the amendment as consistent with neighboring cities’ policies.

Supporters said the resolution is a modest, symbolic step that communicates inclusion and can improve safety for LGBTQ+ youth. Eli, a junior at Los Gatos High School, told the council that a flag is “just a flag” but that seeing it around town helps young people feel less isolated. “Its effect is not to encourage any particular ideology,” Eli said; “its effect is to remind the LGBTQ community that the town strives to be a safe space.” Several other students and youth advocates recounted local incidents of harassment and asked the council to send a clear message of support.

Opponents warned council members about the implications of adopting government speech that can be perceived as taking sides. Council Member Renie and Council Member Badami voiced concern that choosing to display one group’s symbol risks favoring some constituents over others. “When we start choosing flags that represent one identity, but there are opposing identities, that’s an area the town should not be going into,” Renie said during deliberations.

Councilmembers debated procedure and thresholds for future uses of commemorative flags. Council Member Hudis suggested a higher voting threshold might ensure broader community acceptance, while Vice Mayor Risto and others said a simple majority plus full public hearings would be appropriate.

The council first adopted the omnibus policy framework permitting commemorative flags by resolution (vote: 3 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention). After the policy passed, Vice Mayor Risto moved the separate resolution authorizing the Progress Pride flag for June 2026; the resolution passed 4–1. Mayor Moore presided over both votes.

The council’s action follows research staff compiled on neighboring jurisdictions and months of public input. Chris Constantine said staff reviewed Santa Clara County cities and “the majority of cities do allow commemorative flags and do so under the provision that flags are governmental speech that require formal council authorization.”

Councilmembers and staff said future requests to display commemorative flags will be brought as separate resolutions for public hearing and council vote. The council’s decision also included discussion of operational limits described in the new policy: a single pole at the Town Hall complex, a maximum display of 31 days unless council explicitly votes otherwise, and an explicit finding that such displays constitute government speech.

The council’s action sets a procedural path for future commemorative requests and affirms the Progress Pride flag will fly at Town Hall during June 2026. Members of the public on both sides of the issue were asked to continue using the council’s public‑comment channels for future discussion.