Mayor Kitty Moore highlights veteran’s story as Cupertino raises Intersex Progress Pride flag

This afternoon at the Cupertino Civic Center, city leaders, community groups and residents gathered to raise the Intersex Progress Pride flag and begin Pride Month celebrations. Mayor Kitty Moore shared a personal account about her brother, Dan, who served in the military during the era of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and later faced serious health challenges.

"My brother Dan is gay," Moore said as she described his more than 25-year career, including service as a Green Beret and deployments to Desert Storm and subsequent operations. Moore said Dan "had to remain closeted" while serving and that policy changes later helped correct records for many veterans.

Moore framed the flag-raising as both a celebration and a reminder of unfinished work. She said that under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, "more than 14,000 dedicated American service members were separated" and that, in later reviews, "more than 18,000 veterans from that broader era have had their records rightfully corrected to fully honorable." Moore said those corrections do not erase decades of fear and stigma but represent an important step toward recognizing veterans' service.

The mayor also noted regional and local partners in attendance and thanked city staff for organizing the event. She read a roster of elected and agency representatives present and called out community organizations tabling at the ceremony, including the Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, the Cupertino Library, the Bill Wilson Center and Silicon Valley Pride.

Several elected officials offered brief remarks. Vice Mayor Liang Chao praised advocates and allies and urged greater understanding among families; Councilmember Ray Wang asked attendees to remember pioneers of the movement and to continue today's work of inclusion; Councilmember Sheila Mohan called the flag a reminder to "nurture an environment where every person can live authentically and live without fear."

Naomi Castagian Wong, who identified herself as Miss Cupertino 2026, spoke about growing up in Cupertino and the value of visibility for transgender youth. "Your life matters. Your voice matters. Your story matters," Wong said, urging continued listening and support from schools, families and community leaders.

The Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus performed and a chorus representative said SVGMC was celebrating its 43rd season and described the group’s mission to "inspire our diverse community through musical excellence and collective pride." The city presented certificates recognizing the chorus and Wong; the mayor noted a certificate provided by the office of Congressman Ro Khanna.

City council members and honorees joined staff to raise the Intersex Progress Pride flag above Civic Center Plaza. Mayor Moore closed the program by thanking partners, staff and residents for their work toward an inclusive community and wished attendees a "Happy Pride Month."