First Openly Gay Council Member Receives Hate-Filled Messages

ROCKVILLE, MD — Evan Glass, Montgomery County's first openly gay council member, has received multiple homophobic and hate-filled messages during Pride Month, a government spokeswoman has confirmed to Patch. Since the beginning of June, the Democrat has received more than 300 offensive emails and voicemails from some of Montgomery County's more conservative residents.

It all started when the Democrat sent residents a schedule of LGBTQ events being held across Montgomery County in June. The events — which Glass helped organize — ranged from a Pride flag-raising ceremony with County Executive Marc Elrich to a drag performance at Denizens Brewing Co.

"As the county's first LGBTQ council member, it is an honor for me to lead events that are inclusive and representative of our diverse community," Glass said when he first sent out the schedule of events. "Members of the community, friends and allies have all been waiting years to see Pride events hosted right here in Montgomery County."

By hosting these events, Glass hoped to send a message of love and acceptance to people —especially those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. Some residents, however, didn't want that message being spread.

Since the beginning of Pride Month, Glass' office has received a flood of hate-filled messages. Some messages are in the form of emails and voicemails — and others are sent through social media.

In one instance, a resident named "Brown" sent an email to the at-large council member. The email was addressed to "Ms. Glass:"

"Oh thank you so much for inviting me to your tranny queer pride gatherings. What will you be wearing? A sexy miniskirt with tank top and bustier perhaps? Are MAGA hats welcome?

Another example was a voicemail from a resident who called the Pride flag-raising ceremony "despicable," according to WUSA9. Montgomery County kicked off Pride Month by raising a rainbow flag at the Executive Office Building in Rockville. This is the first time in county history that the Pride flag is flying over the council's office building.

"Is it true that ya'll are flying the gay flag? You have no honor. It's despicable," the resident said.

Glass told WUSA9 that his office received a flood of emails and voicemails — to the point that officials stopped answering the phone for four days.

"I'm not quite sure how to respond to that because members of our community just simply want to be who they are," Glass told the news outlet.

In an email to Patch, Glass said he has thick skin and can deal with the backlash he has received. But when it comes to members of the LGBTQ community, society must do a better job protecting them.

"Since 2015 there have been 49 hate crimes committed in Montgomery County against the LGBTQ community. And within the last month, two transgender women of color have been killed and a gay couple assaulted in neighboring jurisdictions," Glass said. "I can withstand the verbal assaults hurled against me, but our society must do a better job protecting the most vulnerable members of our community."