Montgomery County raises Pride Flag in Rockville, highlights monthlong 'Ride With Pride' bus and community events

Montgomery County held a Pride Flag raising ceremony at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Rockville to kick off Pride Month, where officials and community leaders affirmed the county's support for LGBTQ+ residents.

Councilmember Evan Glass, who the event program identified as the ceremony’s sponsor and the county's first openly LGBTQ+ councilmember, said, "I am just so proud that this is the eighth year we are raising the Pride Flag here in Montgomery County." Glass said the flag raised on the government flagpole affirms that "everybody is welcome, safe, and seen in our community" to "live their authentic lives, loving whom they choose, and identifying as they truly are." He added the event is a public rebuke to intolerance, saying, "hate has no home here."

The ceremony drew participation from municipal, county, state and federal officials, the narration noted, and County Executive Marc Elrich attended. Keynote speakers at the event included Karen Holmes, described as a veteran and transgender advocate, and Valeria Carranza, identified as senior director of government relations at Moms Rising.

Officials and speakers framed the flag raising as a symbol aimed at young people and families. A participant at the podium said the annual raising sends a message that people "belong here, that we belong here, that no matter who you love, how you identify, you are seen and you are valued."

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation provided a Ride With Pride Ride On bus to transport council members and to promote visibility for Pride Month. County officials said the Ride On bus will serve routes across the county throughout June as part of the county’s Pride Month activities.

Councilmember Glass also announced a series of community events he will host during Pride Month; the schedule was shown on screens at the ceremony. Jordan Lindsay reported from Rockville.