The LGBTQ+ community and allies in Rancho Santa Margarita are asking the City Council to fly the pride flag annually during the month of June to promote inclusion, acceptance, equity and awareness in the city. This is our second annual request to the Council.

As a universally recognized symbol of the LGBTQ community, flying the flag in Rancho Santa Margarita will send a strong message of community support and love to all its members. 

In 2019 Governor Gavin Newsom requested that the pride flag be flown on the main flagpole of the State Capitol building. “By flying the pride flag over the State Capitol, we send a clear message that California is welcoming and inclusive to all, regardless of how you identify or who you love,” Newsom said in a statement.

Last year's petition was signed by over 600 people when it was submitted to the city for consideration by the Council. This petition has been signed by 1,281 people, showing that interest in having the Pride flag displayed by the city of Rancho Santa Margarita has nearly doubled. The city manager, Jennifer Cervantes, responded to the petition on July 22, 2020 with the following:

Since the issue was first brought to the City Council last month, staff has been researching and contacting other cities in Orange County to determine the procedures and policies regarding flying non-governmental flags.  Given your request to fly the Pride Flag next June, we will continue to take this suggestion into consideration as we look for a fair way to recognize and include residents and causes in advance of that timeframe. 

The LGBTQ+ community and its allies is excited to join both the state capital and other local communities including our neighboring communities of Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Fullerton, Irvine, and Santa Ana in seeing the Pride flag displayed in the RSM city hall.

Please take a moment to sign the petition and share it with your friends, neighbors, and members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.