Oakland County Raises Rainbow Flag for Pride Month
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 1, 2021)
Pontiac, MI – The County Seat is now graced with three rainbow flags in honor of Pride Month, which is celebrated each June.  Demonstrations of pride, such as flying the rainbow flag, help celebrate LGBTQ+ equality and inclusiveness.  With a small ceremony on June 1, County Executive Dave Coulter along with County Commissioners, County staff, and representatives of the LGBTQ+ community the first flag was raised at the L. Brooks Patterson Executive Building at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford.  Flags will also be at two other buildings.
“I know we’re not changing the world by putting this flag up,” said Executive Coulter.  “But I believe, and I know you do as well, that it makes a statement in support, it helps progress what we’re all dedicated to fighting for, and that is, very simply, that anyone – anyone – is welcome in Oakland County regardless of thie skin, their background, and who they love.  And I’m proud that today when people come to Oakland County’s campus… when people drive up here, they’ll understand this is a welcoming place, a place that accepts them, and values them, and is safe.”

County Commissioner Charlie Cavell of Ferndale was among the officials in attendance.  “Ensuring that Oakland County is an unequivocally welcoming place requires we be intentional about what we stand for,” Cavell said.  “Raising this flag shows that we welcome all who have love, seek love, and are in love.”
In recent years, with a Democratic majority on the Commission and a Democratic Executive, Oakland County has made steps towards being proactively inclusive, including the hiring of the County’s first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Robin Carter-Cooper, in 2020.  The County also lists LGBTQ+ resources on their website.