Resistance is rising — not just in marches, but high above skylines. This June, Pride flags are flying across the United States in noticeable bold defiance of the presidential administration’s attempts to erase queer visibility.
While Republican leaders push bans on Pride displays in schools and government buildings, governors and mayors from coast to coast are pushing back. In Hawaii, the Pride flag was raised over the state Capitol for the first time. Governor Josh Green declared, “Flying the Pride flag at our state Capitol is a proud reflection of aloha, as well as our deep commitment to inclusion… While other places are pushing people to the margins, Hawaii is leading with compassion and courage, recognizing that our Mahu and LGBTQIA+ communities have always been a valued part of our story, and always will be.”
Meanwhile, in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis once again replaced rainbow bridge lights with red, white, and blue — but locals responded by creating their own Pride display.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the Pride flag flown at major state sites, saying, “New York is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement…Now more than ever, we are fighting to protect LGBTQ+ rights and protections — all New Yorkers deserve to be safe, heard, and valued regardless of who they love or how they identify. New York is proud of its history and will always celebrate Pride.”
Red states joined in, too. Missoula from Montana, made the Pride flag its official city standard. In Ohio, the Mayor of Cincinnati shouted, “Happy Pride. Let’s get loud!” as the flag was raised. And in Madison, Wisconsin, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said, “Sometimes people ask if it makes a difference to fly a flag. And my answer is yes, it makes a difference. It matters that we communicate to all of Madison and Dane County that here we respect people’s rights, and we value diversity, and we celebrate Pride.”
From Boston to California, from Dallas to Muskegon, flags are flying not just in celebration, but in resistance.
As Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson declared, “Whether you threaten us with resources or anything else, we will not allow our liberties to be captured by tyranny.”
