CHESTERTOWN — The Kent County Commissioners and the Town of Chestertown officially have recognized June as Pride Month with signed proclamations.
The Kent County Pride Month proclamation was presented at the May 13 county commissioners meeting, while Mayor David Foster read the Chestertown LGBTQIA+ Pride Month proclamation into the record at the May 19 mayor and council meeting.
“These gestures of support send a powerful message of inclusion, respect and unity to LGBTQIA+ residents and allies across the county,” a news release from the Kent County Chapter of the Delmarva Pride Center states.
By acknowledging Pride Month, Kent County and Chestertown affirm their commitment to fostering a welcoming community
where all individuals — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression — are seen, valued and celebrated.
Francoise Sullivan, chair of the Kent County Chapter of the Delmarva Pride Center, read the following statement at both meetings regarding statistics and support for LGBTQIA+ youth in rural areas.
“According to the Maryland Health Survey, 25% of Kent County High School students self-identify as queer or questioning. Out of 580 students, that’s approximately 145 kids. A study by The Trevor Project shows that only 34% of trans and nonbinary youth in rural areas feel supported where they live — compared to 67% in non-rural communities. And rural
LGBTQIA+ youth are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts while facing barriers to mental health.”
Sullivan said proclaiming June to be Pride Month in Kent County “will show our LGBTQIA+ community that you acknowledge and support them as valued members of our community.”
The Delmarva Pride Center and its Kent County Chapter work to provide advocacy, support and programming for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families throughout the region. The recognition of Pride Month underscores the importance of this work and the continued need for visibility and dialogue, Sullivan said.
“We thank the County Commissioners and Chestertown Mayor and Town Council for standing with us and recognizing the importance of Pride Month,” Sullivan said in the news release.
“Signing these proclamations reflects a commitment to equality and acceptance that we are proud to see in our local leadership,” she said.
To learn more about upcoming events or to get involved, visit www.dpckentcounty.org.
To learn more about the Maryland Health Survey, visit
https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/ccdpc/Reports/Pages/YRBS-2022-2023.aspx.
To learn more about The Trevor Project, visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/researchbriefs/lgbtq-youth-in-small-towns-and-rural-areas/
