Despite three occasional meetings on the subject, Lake Bluff officials continue to struggle to find a way to adopt a policy that would permit the raising of an LGBTQ + flag on a village flagpole.
For the third time in less than a month, village trustees reviewed the situation at a June 9 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting after another separate conversation at the May COW meeting. On May 28, the village board voted 4-2 against a resolution permitting the flying of various non-governmental commemorative flags, including the LGBTQ+ flag.
Trustees Katharine Hatch, Stephen Rappin, Susan Rider and Raffi Elchemmas voted against the proposal, which was supported by Trustees Taryn Fisher and Shana Fried.
Some community members are calling for the flag to be hoisted on a village flag pole, commemorating Pride month in June. The topic has been formally under consideration at the trustee level since June 2023, according to village documents.
While many trustees spoke of the individual support for the LGBTQ + community, a split emerged on how to create village policy allowing for the raising of the Pride and other commemorative flags.
Elchemmas wanted to make the flag poles available for a lengthy series of other organizations.
“I would be open to a flag policy if it was open and fair to all groups,” he said at the May 28 meeting. “I understand what this resolution is trying to accomplish, but in my opinio,n it does the opposite and it is very divisive.”
Rappin spoke of his support for LGBTQ + community, but offered concerns about the village government’s role.
“I think there has to be a way to share with the outside world that we are an inclusive community that doesn’t burden this board with consistently having to assess the values that people present to us,” he said.
Yet, Fisher strongly advocated for the resolution ahead of the May 28 vote and once again on June 9.
“The right vote is sometimes super simple,” Fisher said. “A clean, direct message from us to our community that we are inclusive and progressive, supportive and loving.”
She then held up a small Pride flag and added, “Nothing about this flag is hateful or restrictive or controversial.”
After the May 28 vote, the June 9 COW meeting drew a packed room into the village hall where for more than an hour community members called for adoption of the flag policy. (COW meetings are for discussions on certain topics with formal votes occurring at village board meetings.)
“Every single Pride flag matters,” resident Katie Zacharia said. “It’s a simple symbol of support and inclusion. But it’s entry-level. It’s a basic support at this point.”
Sophia Zar labeled the measure as progressive, adding she was embarrassed by the decision of the village board.
“Your no vote is not a reflection of this town or its values,” Zar said. “This no vote was a punch in the gut.”
Following the public comment portion of the meeting, trustees once again discussed the matter, leading to a tense exchange between Hatch and Fisher.
Hatch said she had heard from some residents who felt bullied by signs placed in the village advocating for the idea of allowing the LGBTQ + flags.
“Those people have a voice as well, and I am here to represent that voice,” Hatch said.
“I don’t care about the voices who feel bullied by a message of inclusion,” Fisher shot back. “Shame on them and shame on you for wanting to support their voice.”
Hatch responded by saying, “Taryn, I am shocked by the absolute disregard for other people’s opinions.”
In another part of the meeting, some trustees expressed their frustration with the negative reaction they have received as they spoke of being characterized as “homophobic” by some community members.
“It is bullying and shaming. I’m an adult and I can handle it, but it is pretty rude,” Rappin said.
During the meeting, Fisher endorsed a corresponding idea of permitting ribbons supporting the LGBTQ + causes in village trees.
Village Attorney Peter Friedman discussed a policy in West Suburban Clarendon Hills where ribbons are allowed on parkway trees in the village’s right-of-way. As part of the guidelines, the ribbons need to be removed after 14 days by the people who placed them in the first place and the village may remove them at any time.
Trustees eventually decided to place both ideas up for further discussion at the June 23 COW meeting.
Village President Regis Charlot appeared to focus on getting a new policy in place for Lake Bluff in time for the June 2026 Pride month.
“We have another 11 months to get that done,” he said.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
