Howard County leaders raise Pride flag amid tense political climate
For the third year in a row, Howard County leaders and community members gathered in front of the George Howard government building in Ellicott City to watch the Pride flag be raised.
While county leaders are celebrating Pride Month, which is acknowledged each June, the tense political climate is also top of mind.
Those who attended the flag raising on Monday told WJZ that these moments are more important than ever.
Welcoming all to Howard County
The tradition of raising the Pride flag at the George Howard building started in 2023.
Every time it's done, Howard County leaders always have a simple message: you can be yourselves here.
"When we raise the flag, we are sending a message throughout the state, the nation, and the world that we support people loving who they love," said Calvin Ball, the Howard County executive.
Ball was one of several elected and community leaders who spoke to the crowd before the flag was raised.
Multiple speakers talked about how this year's flag raising "carried more weight," particularly because of the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration.
One of Trump's first executive orders called for federal agencies to only recognize two sexes, male and female. There have been several others targeting transgender people, like those serving in the military.
Deep cuts to LGBTQIA+ resources and funding have also been made.
Brad Bailey, the chair of Howard County's LGBTQIA+ Commission, said the county has stayed strong against all of the policies.
"I grew up in Baltimore County. I've lived in Arizona, Illinois, and Virginia, but when I decided to move back in 2021, I chose Howard County," Bailey said. "Specifically because it is a welcoming environment for the LGBTQIA+ community."
Waning business support
This year's Pride Month also comes as businesses aren't showing as much support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
A survey by Gravity Research, a risk management firm, shows 39% of companies surveyed reduced Pride-related engagement this year.
Sixty-one percent of companies surveyed said the Trump administration has made them rethink their Pride strategies.
This has also made coming together more important this year. At the flag raising, Howard County Councilwoman Christiana Rigby recounted how she wasn't even fully out when the tradition began.
"I hadn't, publicly as an elected official, come out of the closet," she said.
Rigby recognizes the importance of representation, especially for LGBTQIA+ children.
"For me, having public figures when I was younger...would've helped me understand a lot more," Rigby said. "If I can do that for someone behind me, I wanna be able to do that."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
22 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Consultant on trial for AI-generated robocalls mimicking Biden says he has no regrets
LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — A political consultant told a New Hampshire jury Wednesday that he doesn't regret sending voters robocalls that used artificial intelligence to mimic former President Joe Biden and that he's confident he didn't break the law. Steven Kramer, 56, of New Orleans, has long admitted to orchestrating a message sent to thousands of voters two days before New Hampshire's Jan. 23, 2024, presidential primary. Recipients heard an AI-generated voice similar to the Democratic president's that used his catchphrase 'What a bunch of malarkey' and, as prosecutors allege, suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting ballots in November. 'It's important that you save your vote for the November election,' voters were told. 'Your votes make a difference in November, not this Tuesday.' Kramer, who faces decades in prison if convicted of voter suppression and impersonating a candidate, said his goal was to send a wake-up call about the potential dangers of AI when he paid a New Orleans magician $150 to create the recording. He was getting frequent calls from people using AI in campaigns, and, worried about the lack of regulations, made it his New Year's resolution to take action. 'This is going to be my one good deed this year,' he recalled while testifying in Belknap County Superior Court. He said his goal wasn't to influence an election, because he didn't consider the primary a real election. At Biden's request, the Democratic National Committee dislodged New Hampshire from its traditional early spot in the 2024 nominating calendar but later dropped its threat not to seat the state's national convention delegates. Biden did not put his name on the ballot or campaign there but won as a write-in. Kramer, who owns a firm specializing in get-out-the-vote projects, argued that the primary was a meaningless straw poll unsanctioned by the DNC. At the time the calls went out, voters were disenfranchised, he said. Asked by his attorney, Tom Reid, whether he did anything illegal, Kramer said, 'I'm positive I did not.' Later, he said he had no regrets and that his actions likely spurred AI regulations in multiple states. Kramer, who will be questioned by prosecutors Thursday, also faces a $6 million fine by the Federal Communications Commission but told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he won't pay it. Lingo Telecom, the company that transmitted the calls, agreed to pay $1 million in a settlement in August. The robocalls appeared to come from a former New Hampshire Democratic Party chair, Kathy Sullivan, and told voters to call her number to be removed from the call list. On the witness stand earlier Wednesday, Sullivan said she was confused and then outraged after speaking to one of the recipients and later hearing the message. 'I hung up the phone and said, 'There is something really crazy going on,'' she said. 'Someone is trying to suppress the vote for Biden. I can't believe this is happening.' Months later, she got a call from Kramer in which he said he used her number because he knew she would contact law enforcement and the media. He also described his motive — highlighting AI's potential dangers — but she didn't believe him, she testified. 'My sense was he was trying to convince me that he'd done this defensible, good thing,' she said. 'I'm listening to this thinking to myself, 'What does he thing I am, stupid?' He tried to suppress the vote.'
Washington Post
24 minutes ago
- Washington Post
National Guard troops have temporarily detained civilians in LA protests, commander says
WASHINGTON — National Guard troops already have temporarily detained civilians in the Los Angeles protests over immigration raids , the commander in charge said Wednesday, but they quickly turned them over to law enforcement. Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press and one other media outlet, also said about 500 of the National Guard troops have been trained so far to accompany agents on immigration operations . Photos of Guard soldiers providing security for the agents have already been circulated by immigration officials.
Washington Post
24 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback
RALEIGH, N.C. — A bill to let adults carry concealed handguns without a permit cleared the North Carolina legislature on Wednesday, however the path to joining the majority of U.S. states with similar laws remains uncertain. The GOP-backed legislation faces a likely veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, as well as pushback from a handful of Republicans who voted against the legislation in the state House. House Speaker Destin Hall acknowledged those concerns after Wednesday's vote.
