Ahead of Pride Month in June, the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership is taking feedback from community members about which LGBTQIA+ flags they wish to see.
The nonprofit, which partners with the local government, has installed and displayed the flags for the past several years. In 2022, however, some community members shared concerns of certain LGBTQIA+ flags being flown over others — specifically, the absence of the lesbian flag.
Interim Executive Director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Jeri Lynn Schulke said updating the collection of flags was one of the things her predecessor, Matt Gladdek, stressed before his departure in February.
“His reflection upon last year’s selection,” said Schulke, “prompted DCHP to reach out to our community for input on this year’s selections with a Pride Flag Survey. By providing this opportunity, we hope our community will share in creating a space downtown that celebrates, acknowledges, and welcomes members of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
The survey asks respondents to choose Pride flag options from a grid based on which “you would like to see flying over Downtown Chapel Hill.” In June, the flags will be up along Franklin Street and Rosemary Street, from Henderson Street to Merritt Mill Road all month long.
According to Schulke, the nonprofit’s director of marketing Stephanie Cobert worked with the Town of Chapel Hill’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Shenekia Weeks to create survey.
“Downtown Chapel Hill is the center of so much in our community,” said Schulke. “It’s a crossroads for the town and the university. Hundreds of people are in or through our downtown daily. Pride Flags will be front and center in our “town square”, in front of businesses, restaurants, bars, hotels and so much more.
“By placing pride flags in our community’s town square,” she added, “our community displays support and affirmation for the LGBTQIA+ community, creating a welcoming environment and proclaiming to all who travel on Chapel Hill’s main street that Chapel Hill is open to all.”
The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership’s survey can be found here. It will be open until April 15, according to the organization.
Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.
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