With gay pride month underway – replete with activities, awareness efforts, and parades and other pageantry planned – area towns have issued their annual proclamations recognizing June as “pride month” and calling for unity.
The Park Ridge City Council, along with the Village Boards of Morton Grove and Niles, each approved official proclamations marking recognition of the lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, queer-plus community and its allies.
“We celebrate that this is a place where all people are celebrated, welcome and can find their home,” Carol Hill, senior pastor of Park Ridge Community Church, said after receiving a copy of the pride month proclamation from Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney at the June 2 City Council meeting.
Hill and Park Ridge Community Church helped a group of young people organize the first “Pride in Park Ridge” event last year. The church acted as a fiscal agent for the organizers so they could accept donations to put on the events.
“Last summer, the most frequent comment that we heard at Pride of Park Ridge was ‘I never thought I would see this in my town,” Hill said.
The community celebration for 2025 was held June 4.
The village of Lincolnwood has not had an official proclamation for 2025, but the village began flying pride flags on Lincoln Avenue in 2024 and promotes gay pride month on its official Facebook page
The Morton Grove proclamation was accompanied by news of pride signs being removed from planters in the village without permission.
Mayor Janine Witko made mention of the removals at the June 10 Village Board meeting.
“We just want everyone to know that we take that seriously,” Witko said. “Police reports have been filed, and we will take action.”
The pride month proclamation by Morton Grove sought to use the village motto to strike an inclusive tone.
“The Village of Morton Grove’s tagline ‘Incredibly Close and Amazingly Open’ underscores our collective resolve to work together with all members of our community,” the proclamation reads.
A representative from the Morton Grove Pride organization was in attendance as the proclamation was publicly presented, then approved by the board. Morton Grove Pride formed in 2024 with the stated goal of hosting its first gay pride month celebration a year later.
In Niles, Mayor George Alpogianis presented the town’s gay pride proclamation at the May 27 Village Board meeting.
“Pride Month offers an opportunity for all people to reflect on the importance of equity, visibility, and justice, and to honor the legacy of LGBTQ+ pioneers, advocates, and allies who have fought — and continue to fight — for freedom and equality,” the proclamation reads.
Alan Kozeluh is a freelancer.
