It was the sixth annual Progress Pride Flag raising ceremony hosted by local elected officials, Cook County leaders and community advocates.
"By raising this flag over Daley Plaza, these elected officials sitting before you today, many of whom, like me, wouldn't be here if not for that movement, are conveying the message that your county and your city government acknowledge the movement and what this flag commemorates and represents," said Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor.
The ceremony kicked off Pride Month in Chicago and Cook County. The Progress Pride Flag is an inclusive variation of the classic Pride Flag and includes additional colored stripes to include transgender people and people of color.
It's a flag that Equality Illinois CEO Channyn Lynne Parker said is a privilege to have displayed in Chicago.
"Every single day someone doesn't have the access to walk down the street and be that out loud, proud person," she said. "They live in communities where pride flags, progress flags will never billow over their blocks."
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks at the sixth annual Progress Pride Flag raising ceremony at Daley Plaza Monday morning. The ceremony kicks off Pride Month in Chicago and Cook County.
Carolina Garibay
Mayor Brandon Johnson and County Board President Toni Preckwinkle were among those at the flag raising. Many speakers called out the Trump administration's attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and advocated for change.
"Let us push forward the transformational policies that are necessary, like universal health care, guaranteed housing and guaranteed education, so that all of us in our communities can have the right to live with dignity, with peace and justice for all," said 35th ward alderman Anthony Quezada.
The ceremony was led by Cook County commissioner Kevin Morrison, who is the first openly gay member of the Board.
"As we fly our Progress Pride Flag today, we stand here in the face of all those who would seek to erase us, to declare loudly and proudly that we are here, we are queer and we will continue to try to do better every day for our LGBTQ+ community," he said.
