This June, the Town of Hillsborough will pursue a new strategy to publicly display its support for the LGBTQ+ community.

During a virtual work session on Monday, the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to purchase and fly rainbow Pride flags throughout the town during the month of June, the nationally-recognized period of LGBT pride.

LGBT Pride Month was only declared in Hillsborough beginning in 2019. While Mayor Jenn Weaver and Town Commissioner Matt Hughes intended to acquire and fly a set of rainbow flags last year, the plans were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, Hughes officially brought the proposition to the board.

“Hillsborough has long supported LGBTQ+ rights as an organization, just more quietly,” Weaver told 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell. “The friendliness as an organization has long-existed, but I do think it’s really important to be visibly supportive, especially with the climate of oppression and violence toward the LGBT community.”

“It feels a little bit overdue,” Weaver said during Monday’s remote work session.

Hughes suggested flying approximately 30 of the flags throughout the month, and expressed the desire to source them from the Hillsborough-based Carrot-Top Industries or another local business.

“I think that this would be a very visible sign for folks regarding the inclusivity of Hillsborough,” said Hughes.

Earlier this year, Hillsborough became the first municipality in North Carolina to pass an ordinance protecting its LGBT residents from discrimination after a key provision of House Bill 142 expired.

The full work session can be viewed on the town’s YouTube channel. More information about Hillsborough’s Board of Commissioners and its activities can be found on the town’s website.

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