Pride flag raised atop City Hall as Kansas City leaders gather to kickoff Pride Month
A small crowd gathered Thursday morning on the roof of City Hall in Kansas City to raise the Pride flag for the month of June.
For the second year, LGBTQ leaders, city staff and Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke about the city’s work on LGBTQ rights while the flag was raised above the building, commemorating the beginning of Pride Month.
Chris Hernandez, communications director for the city, said he felt comfortable working for the city when he started nine years ago as one of the only out employees. He said things have only gotten better since then.
“We have a full team of directors and a city manager who fully believe not just in equality for all, but really making that a part of what we do day in and day out so the people can come to work and be their full authentic selves,” Hernandez said.
Councilman Kevin O’Neill and Councilwoman Andrea Bough both said they were proud of the city’s inclusive ordinances like requiring all gender bathrooms in city buildings and the creation of the LGBTQ Commission of Kansas City, which advises the city council on creating inclusive policies.
Eram Ninaz, the fifth district representative of the LGBTQ Commission of Kansas City, said that beyond the Pride celebrations in June, there is still work to be done to support the LGBTQ community.
“There are countless multi-marginalized people who also belong in the queer community who are working and who are dying and who are very, very much in need of your support beyond wearing rainbows and beyond wearing pins during the month of June,” Ninaz said.
After growing up in Kansas City, Ninaz said that the number of safe spaces for multi-marginalized groups has increased, but needs to continue growing to meet the needs of the community.
“Pride goes beyond June,” Ninaz said. “Pride goes beyond the celebration. Pride includes sacrifice. Pride includes effort. Pride includes inclusion, real inclusion, and Pride includes us all.”
Lucas said city employees and people across the area work everyday to ensure that every person feels accepted.
“This is why for not just this month, but every day in Kansas City government, we do all we can to tell everyone that you are welcome,” the mayor said. “We love you. We respect you as you are. We appreciate you.”
Lucas said that while they have made progress in creating more inclusive policies across Kansas City like banning conversion therapy and adding gender-affirming health care to city employee’s plans, there is still more to be done.
“We’ve seen that rights can go the other direction,” he said. “We’ve seen that we have to keep fighting. Let’s use this as an opportunity to fight for more people in our community, to make sure everyone is respected and appreciated.”
The Kansas City Pride Parade and Festival will be from June 10 to June 12 and include performances, food trucks and family activities. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on June 11 at Westport Road and Pennsylvania Ave.
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 12:36 PM.