Pride month declared: Nevada City raises LGBTQ+ flags in honor of gay pride, some unhappy with ruling

Families participated in changing the flags in downtown Nevada City along Broad, Commercial and Pine streets, and Union Alley, where the LGBTQ+ flag is displayed for June and Pride month.
Photo: Elias Funez

The declaration of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Nevada City was celebrated Tuesday night with speeches from city officials and a crowd of people gathered to watch the pride flag being hoisted above City Hall.

“It’s also about celebration, it’s about celebrating who we are and who we love, celebrating our individual journeys of becoming and also our collective journey as a people,” Councilwoman Daniela Fernández told the crowds gathered along York Street on Tuesday evening.

**Hundreds of gay pride flags now hang in the streets of downtown Nevada City for the month of June, which is Pride Month.**
*Photo: Elias Funez*

“Let it be known that from now on, June will forever be known as Nevada City’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month.”

Fernández’s words drew cheers from the crowd, who then watched Nevada City Manager Sean Grayson raise the LGBTQ+ flag above City Hall and below the California and US flags.

**The Pride Flag is raised above Nevada City Hall by City Manager Sean Grayson on Tuesday.**
*Photo: Elias Funez*

Following the flag raising, the group participated in changing the banners hung along downtown streets from the flags of the United States of America to the LGBTQ+ flag.

The decision to change the banners with the declaration was also made by the council. The banners were provided by a private donor.

**Councilman Daniela Fernandez speaks to a crowd of people gathered along York Street in Nevada City to watch the raising of the Pride Flag above City Hall.**
*Photo: Elias Funez*

The change of scenery was not well received by everyone, including at least one person who voiced their annoyance to the crowd as the banners were being changed.

The majority of calls received at the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce office on Wednesday were to complain about LGBTQ+ flags, according to Nevada City Chamber of Commerce executive director Stuart Baker.

**Colorful rainbow gay pride flags were hoisted across the city of Nevada on Tuesday evening.**
*Photo: Elias Funez*

“People see the politics, people think it’s polarizing,” said Baker, who also told the callers the decision was made through the local democratic process.

Baker also said the flags should only be raised for the month of June. In July, the United States flag will return to line the streets of downtown Nevada City in preparation for July 4th.

To contact multimedia journalist Elias Funez, email [email protected] or call 530-477-4230

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