BOOTHBAY HARBOR, Maine — We are just a few weeks away from LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June. Many celebrations will be happening across the state, but not everywhere.
Byron Cortez lives in Boothbay with his husband and has set out to bring a splash of color and some pride to the midcoast.
"There are four towns on the peninsula and none of them celebrate pride," Cortez said.
Cortez set out to do something about it, petitioning the towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, and Southport to formally recognize Pride Month.
"They have taken me seriously and they listen to me," he told NEWS CENTER Maine. The responses have been mixed, however.
In Southport, town leaders agreed to sign a proclamation recognizing the month, fly a pride flag, and will paint a rainbow crosswalk.
"Saw no reason why not to," Southport Select Board Chair Gerald Gamage said. "It's not about what I believe in or what you believe in, it's about people’s rights."
Leaders in Boothbay decided not to go down the same path.
"There were some thoughts, if you open it up for one organization or one group, you would then open yourself up to other requests," Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer explained.
Bryer said the town has received requests to fly the Israeli and NRA flag, which it did not allow.
"[The board's] thought process was, why create something new when we have certain functions that already exist that anyone can apply for, such as use of the Boothbay Common and we have light poles you can put banners up on," Bryer added.
Cortez is waiting to hear back from Boothbay Harbor and Edgecomb.
"There are no failures here," he said.
Despite his varying success, Cortez said his effort is about creating a dialogue and he's thankful for the ability to approach local governments with these ideas. In his 20s, he said he came to the U.S. as a war refugee from Guatemala where he lived in fear with few rights.
"Growing up in a place like Guatemala in the 80s, definitely taught me that you need to speak up," he explained.
No matter what happens with his Pride initiative in the remaining towns, Cortez said he'll still love where he lives and hopes to hopes a regional Pride event next year.