MoCo Pride Flag That Sparked Hope, Controversy To Be Preserved

ROCKVILLE, MD — The rainbow LGBTQ Pride flag that was raised for the first time over Montgomery County's government building last year will be donated to the county's historical society, according to officials.

Evan Glass, the county's first openly gay council member, will present the flag to Montgomery History during its annual conference on Jan. 25.

"We live in a beautifully diverse community and the Pride flag is a symbol and reminder of the ongoing civil rights struggle for members of the LGBTQ+ community," Glass, a Democrat, said. "Today, more than ever, every resident of Montgomery County deserves to feel safe living their lives as they truly are. I am proud to donate this historic symbol so that years from now, residents of Montgomery County can reflect upon the progress we have made."

For the first time in its history, a Pride flag flew over the Executive Office Building in Rockville last June. The flag-raising ceremony on June 10 was timed to coincide with Pride Month and fell just before the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots — the catalyst for the gay rights movement.

"The Pride flag that flew over the county office building represents a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ community in Montgomery County," said Matt Logan, executive director of the Montgomery County Historical Society. "It is an icon that celebrates inclusivity and diversity, values espoused by the current County Council and County Executive."

Logan said Montgomery History will add the flag to its permanent artifact collection "as it will enable future generation to understand the values and political climate of Montgomery County in the first quarter of the 21st century."

Many local leaders, gay rights activists, and residents saw the flag in Rockville as a symbol of the county's commitment to the LGBTQ community. But others saw it as an insult — not just to their political and religious views, but to members of the military.

After the flag-raising ceremony, a Vietnam War veteran from the area noted that the Pride flag replaced the black and white POW/MIA flag.

Created in 1971 by the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, the POW/MIA flag is a symbol of national concern over missing and captured service members.

Other residents chimed in, criticizing the council for flying the Pride flag instead of the POW/MIA flag.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has since issued a statement about the controversy, saying: "The Pride flag did not replace the POW/MIA flag. On June 10th, when the Pride flag was raised, there was not a mechanism in place for both flags to be displayed."

A mechanism was later put in place to allow both flags to fly over the county's government building.

Maryland's most populous county, Montgomery, is considered progressive in its politics. Currently, the county executive and all nine members of the council are Democrats and represent some 1.1 million residents.

Montgomery County is also home to dozens of LGBTQ advocacy groups and inclusive faith-based organizations, according to MoCo Pride Center, a Kensington-based nonprofit that threw its first Pride Party last year.

Patch has reached out to MoCo Pride Center for comment on the Pride flag donation, but did not immediately receive a response.

SEE ALSO:

• Pride Flag Raised Over Council Building For First Time Ever
• Pride Flag Controversy: POW/MIA Flag Flying Once Again
  
• First Openly Gay Council Member Receives Hate-Filled Messages
  
• MoCo Pride Party To Celebrate Gay Pride Sans Corporate Interests