Diverse Inclusive Accepting Welcoming Safe Space for Everyone

Background:

COVID-19 has created an environment of fear, social isolation, and an unexpected impact on our mental health, even more so for the vulnerable members of the community.

The LGBTQ Commission of San Mateo County is inviting all cities and towns in San Mateo County to support the LGBTQ community by recognizing Pride Month (June 2021). Because it is still not safe to have large public gatherings, the suggestions we provide respectfully adhere to social distancing. The suggestions are simple and intended to bring visibility to your city and for your LGBTQ residents. This visibility allows LGBTQ residents to know that they are seen and that they are important. During this time of social distancing, these simple acts of visibility create a deeper sense of connection and inclusion for everyone in the community.

OPTIONS TO SHOW YOUR VISIBILITY!

The recommendations include, but are not limited to, the following options:

  • Raise the LGBTQ Progress Pride Flag for the month of June

The LGTBQ Pride Flag has been part of the LGBTQ movement since 1978, designed by Gilbert Baker at the request of Harvey Milk (the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States). 

The LGBTQ Progress Pride Flag is what we are now recommending to be raised. The Progress Pride Flag was designed in 2018 by artist Daniel Quasar, adding a 5-colored chevron to the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag to place a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression. What do all the colors and shapes mean?  The black and brown stripes represent marginalized LGBTQ communities of color, community members lost to HIV/AIDS, and those currently living with HIV/AIDS. The white, pink, and blue stripes represent the transgender community. The chevron represents a need for forward movement. The redesigned flag aims to draw attention to the need to center and support black and brown queer and trans people, as well as those living with HIV/AIDS.

The LGBTQ community and allies use the Rainbow Flag as an outward symbol of their identity or support.  Including the LGBTQ Progress Pride Flag highlights that your city is a leader in the fight for equal rights, and that you will continue to protect and expand the rights of everyone in your area.

  • Pride Month Proclamation

Another key step your city can take to support LGBTQ residents is to issue a proclamation declaring June 2021 as Pride Month.  A template proclamation can be found here.  The formal proclamation for the entire County of San Mateo will be presented at the May 18, 2021 Board of Supervisors meeting. Members of the LGBTQ Commission, Pride Initiative and Pride Center would make themselves available to accept your proclamation.

  • San Mateo County Pride Celebration

We also invite you to join us for the 9th Annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration, now a virtual week of programming (June 6-12) with a closing event on Saturday June 12, 2021.  More details will be forthcoming here

Progress Pride Flag symbol
  • Pride Flag symbol:
LGBTQ Flag
    • LGBTQ Commission 2021 symbol:
    LGBTQ Commission logo
    • A Short History of Pride posted on your website:

    Please feel welcome to use the content in quotations or use the downloadable image (History of Pride) that we have created already for you. 

    History of Pride image

    “The month of June was chosen for LGBTQ+ Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred on June 28,1969.  In San Francisco a similar riot had taken place two years before at the Black Cat Tavern, and 

    years before at the Compton Cafeteria (SF), in 1966. Same-Sex intimacy was illegal, there were routine riots in gay bars and arbitrary arrests.  It was common for people to lose their jobs if outed.  The community was getting fed up.  Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Morris Knight and Bob Humphries founded Christopher Street West in Los Angeles, CA to advocate for gay rights. One of their first events was a march in LA, declared “Christopher Street Liberation Day.” It was a march for justice, a political protest. That same day people marched in San Francisco and held a ‘gay in’ in Golden Gate Park.  There was n

    o going back, and people worked tirelessly for years to gain equal protections and rights.  In 2015 Same-sex marriage was finally recognized across the United States. Today there is a growing celebration of the LGBTQ+ people who live and work in our communities.”
    Content provided by Rev Terri Echelbarger, Many Journeys MCC & LGBTQ Commission of San Mateo County

    • List of County LGBTQ organizations with links to their websites posted on your website

    Behavioral Health & Recovery Services: https://www.smchealth.org/bhrs

    Office of Diversity & Equity: https://www.smchealth.org/office-diversity-equity

    Coastpride: https://coastpride.org/

    Pride Initiative: https://www.smchealth.org/pride-initiative

    San Mateo County Pride Center: https://sanmateopride.org/

    Outlet, Adolescent Counseling Services: https://www.acs-teens.org/what-we-do/outlet/

    LGBTQ Commission: https://lgbtq.smcgov.org/

    As part of supporting the local LGBTQ community in San Mateo County, we are happy to support your city’s efforts and ask that you contact us with any questions or if you need help with these recommendations. The LGBTQ Commission meets monthly (now virtually) on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30PM. Access information, agenda and contact information on the LGBTQ Commission website (http://lgbtq.smcgov.org)  --we welcome your attendance and look forward to your partnership in supporting the LGBTQ residents of San Mateo County!

    City Proclamations and Flag Raisings in 2021
    CITY PROCLAMATION FLAG RAISING
    Atherton 5/19 Council Meeting  June 7
    Belmont 6/8 Council Meeting June 1
    Brisbane 6/3 Council Meeting Flag flies year
    round
    Burlingame 6/7 Council Meeting June 10
    Colma 6/23 Council Meeting June 23
    Daly City 6/14 Council Meeting June 1
    East Palo Alto 6/1 Council Meeting May 24
    Foster City 6/7 Council Meeting June 1
    Half Moon Bay 6/1 Council Meeting June 1
    Hillsborough 6/14 Council Meeting June 15
    Menlo Park 6/22 Council Meeting June 1
    Millbrae 6/8 Council Meeting June 9
    Pacifica 5/24 Council Meeting June 1
    Portola Valley 5/26 Council Meeting June 1
    Redwood City 5/24 Council Meeting June 1
    San Bruno 5/25 Council Meeting June 1
    San Carlos 6/14 Council Meeting May 20
    San Mateo 6/7 Council Meeting June 1
    South San 
    Francisco
    5/26 Council Meeting June 1
    Woodside dated 6/1  TBD
         
    County of San Mateo 5/18 Board of 
    Supervisors Meeting
    June 1, 10am

     

     

     (download pdf)