Resistance is rising on flagpoles and landmarks across the United States this June as cities and states defy the presidential administration’s erasure of LGBTQ+ identity by proudly flying Pride flags and shining the colors of the rainbow.
Republicans nationwide have sought to ban the display of Pride flags on government buildings and in stateside schools. However, state governors and mayors are bucking the trend by displaying the queer flags on their home turf.
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“This kind of thing does not divide us,” one local resident said. “It makes us come together to come against this kind of hate speech.”
In Hawaii on Monday, officials raised the Pride flag for the very first time at the state capitol.
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“Flying the Pride flag at our state Capitol is a proud reflection of aloha, as well as our deep commitment to inclusion,” said Gov. Josh Green (D) at the ceremony. “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.”
In Hawai‘i, aloha is more than a word — it’s a value that guides how we treat one another, with love, respect and dignity. Flying the Pride flag at our state Capitol is a proud reflection of that aloha, as well as our deep commitment to inclusion. pic.twitter.com/Xv0NHzK88W
— Governor Josh Green (@GovJoshGreenMD) June 2, 2025
The Hawaii governor’s support for the LGBTQ+ community contrasted with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) actions during Pride Month. This year, as in 2024, the “Don’t Say Gay” crusader ordered a bridge in Jacksonville lit up in red, white, and blue for June, instead of the rainbow colors that illuminated the span in previous years. The local community turned out to shine their own display of Pride on the bridge instead.
Photos: Pride month in Jacksonville begins with Acosta Bridge rainbow lighting event. See photos. https://t.co/qJzXSyz2wI
— Florida Times-Union (@jaxdotcom) June 2, 2025
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) directed state buildings and landmarks to be illuminated and for the LGBTQ+ progress Pride flag to be flown at the state capitol, the Empire State Plaza, and the Governor’s Executive Mansion.
“New York is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement,” the governor said. “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.”
Pride was also on display in red states like Montana, Utah, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
In tiny Missoula, Montana, the city council on Monday adopted a resolution to make the Pride flag the city’s only official standard.
On Friday, a Pride flag flew high at Salt Lake City Hall, kicking off a week of Utah Pride activities and spurning efforts by the Utah Legislature to ban the rainbow banner from flying over government grounds.
On Monday in Ohio, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval (D) declared, “Happy Pride. Let’s get loud for this joyous day,” as a big crowd watched the Pride flag hoisted high above City Hall. “Cincy Pride is one of those times when the Queen City gets to really show off who we are.”
The city of Madison and officials in Dane County, Wisconsin raised the Pride Flag in a ceremony on Monday.
“Sometimes people ask if it makes a difference to fly a flag. And my answer is yes — it makes a difference,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway (D). “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.”
Like Hawaii, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) ordered the Pride flag flown over the state capital for the first time. The California National Guard joined the ceremony.
“In California, we celebrate and support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community’s right to live out loud – during Pride month and every month,” Newsom said. “By flying the pride flag over the State Capitol, we send a clear message that California is welcoming and inclusive to all, regardless of how you identify or who you love.”
Pride flag flying above the state Capitol #CALeg pic.twitter.com/cPhVqvwCIw
— Scott Graves (@SHGraves29) June 3, 2025
In Boston, Massachusetts — birthplace of the American Revolution — hundreds of LGBTQ+ community members, allies, and city officials joined Mayor Michelle Wu (D) and cheered as the LGBTQ+ Progress flag was raised over City Hall yesterday.
In the small town of Meriden, Connecticut, the city council designated June Pride Month permanently, and declared the Pride flag would fly at a local cultural center until “we don’t need it anymore.”
Leaders and LGBTQ+ allies in the state gathered in Hartford, Connecticut to raise the Pride flag above the state capitol on Monday.
“This is a signal to folks all across the state that there are people who are here for you, who have your back and are around to love and embrace you,” said out State Treasurer Erick Russell.
In Muskegon, Michigan, the city council voted unnanimously to fly both the Pride and Junteenth flags in June.
For those who “don’t know the history, and wish the history has been taken out of the textbooks and now banned by this administration in office now – I think it’s perfect that we fly the flag,” said Commissioner Willie German.
The city of Dallas, Texas will also split time between Pride and Junteenth flags. The city’s Pride standard is distinguished with the city’s seal overlaid upon the traditional rainbow Pride banner.
“I think it’s just important that people know Dallas is a welcoming community and regardless of who you are, who you love, what you look like, we want you here in our city,” said Dallas city councilmember Omar Narvaez at Monday’s flag-raising.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, officials and supporters gathered on Tuesday morning to raise the Pride flag at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Rockville. As part of the ceremony, officials arrived in a Montgomery County Ride On bus wrapped in the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag.
And in Daley Plaza in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) made the Progress Pride flag-raising there perhaps the most overt rebuke to the current presidential administration.
“Chicago is a bright spot in the Midwest for inclusivity,” he said. “Whether you threaten us with resources or anything else, we will not allow our liberties to be captured by tyranny.”
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