The Flossmoor Village Board reaffirmed its support for LGBTQ+ residents by proclaiming June 2026 as Pride Month. Also at the board’s June 1 meeting, two Homewood-Flossmoor High School students were recognized for their leadership and service to the community.
Mayor Michelle Nelson read the proclamation highlighting Flossmoor’s commitment to diversity and inclusion while recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in fields ranging from science and medicine to arts, entertainment and public service. The proclamation also acknowledges the challenges many LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face, including discrimination, violence and mental health struggles among LGBTQ+ youth.
The proclamation notes that Flossmoor displays the Pride flag as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and encourages residents to learn about the struggles and achievements that have shaped LGBTQ+ history. It further states that the village is committed to ensuring LGBTQ+ residents can live “authentically, freely and safely” in the community.
This year, the community Pride celebration hosted by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District with support from Homewood and Flossmoor, will be June 12 at Flossmoor Park.
Nelson recognized Annie Ford and Amariyah Raickett, recent H-F graduates who each received $1,000 fellowships from the Lighthouse LGBTQ Foundation. According to Nelson, both students have demonstrated leadership, volunteerism and activism while in school. Ford plans to attend Eastern Illinois University to study music education, while Raickett plans to study finance at DePaul University.
Valerie Litchfield, co-founder of the Lighthouse LGBTQ Foundation, said she was encouraged to see village leaders once again recognize Pride Month.
“It was quite satisfying to see the mayor and village officials proclaim June as Pride Month in Flossmoor,” Litchfield said. “As surrounding communities struggle with displaying Pride flags, Lighthouse, along with the village, has led the way for almost a decade in showing the difference between tolerance and acceptance.”
Litchfield said the Pride flags displayed throughout downtown Flossmoor send a visible message about the community’s values.
“As you stand on the train platform and see the Pride flags lining the downtown area, you just know, without words, what our village values,” she said. “I am proud to call Flossmoor home.”
She also praised Ford and Raickett for their impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
“Both Amariyah and Annie were excellent choices to accept the proclamation,” Litchfield said. “They each have made a positive impact on the LGBTQ community by living into their authentic selves, volunteering, nurturing and supporting others who share their stories, and being excellent students. We, as a foundation, are so proud of them and we are happy to award them a scholarship.”
