Flint, Michigan – Mayor Sheldon Neeley has officially proclaimed the month of June to be Pride Month in Flint. This shows that the city continues to be committed to equality, civil rights, and celebrating its diverse community. As communities throughout the country get ready to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, the news comes at a time when there is a renewed focus on fighting prejudice and advancing protections.
Mayor Neeley said in his the declaration that the city supports everyone, regardless of their identity, gender, race, ethnicity, or age. He spoke about how far we’ve come, but he also said that there is still work to be done, especially when it comes to battling prejudice in housing, healthcare, and the employment, where plenty of LGBTQ+ individuals still face challenges.
June is also an important month in history for the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall Riots happened 55 years ago. They were a key event that started the contemporary LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. To make the point that it’s important to remember individuals who paved the way for change, the mayor notably mentioned Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman who was a significant figure at Stonewall.
While celebrating milestones, the proclamation does not shy away from the challenges that LGBTQ+ people, especially youth, still face. Mayor Neeley said that LGBTQ+ adolescents are more likely to commit suicide, become homeless, be bullied, and be violent. He also said that discrimination against anyone goes against the basic ideals that make Flint and the country great.
The proclamation not only makes June 2025 Pride Month, but it also keeps the recognition going for two more years, until June 2027. This long-term commitment shows that the city wants to do more than just make symbolic gestures; it wants to focus on long-term support for diversity, equity, and respect for everyone.
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Mayor Neeley’s goal with this proclamation is to make the city an even better place for everyone to feel safe and appreciated under the law. It’s a plea for everyone in Flint to work together to make the city—and the country—a place where everyone can live with respect, love, and pride.