Polarizing opinions were unveiled at Monday night's meeting over a topic not on the Palatine council's agenda: flying the Pride flag in front of Village Hall.
"Flying this flag would be a little discriminatory to most Palatine citizens," said Valerie Reed.
"We need to show others that Palatine is a community that supports all of its residents and is a safe place to live," said Paul Dombrowski.
In the months leading into Pride Month, a group of Palatine residents rallied to fly the Pride flag but hit a roadblock.
"We started emailing our village council members and asking them if they would put it on the agenda to fly the flag, we got very direct 'no's," said Palatine resident Deanna Santman.
The current Code of Ordinances in Palatine authorizes the flags of the United States, the State of Illinois, the Village of Palatine, and POW/MIA at village buildings.
Despite the urging of activists, no councilmember has introduced an ordinance to change the code. At Monday night's village meeting, both sides voiced what the Pride flag symbolized to them.
"I think this is an affirming human embrace that you can give without harm to other population," said Jennifer Brennan.
"Gender and sexual identity has nothing to do at all with politics. It has everything to do about people wanting to live their authentic lives," said Judy Danes.
"It's common sense that we don't fly flags that push a certain ideology. That's what your private property is for. This is public property that we all pay into," said Vicky Wilson.
"Nazi flags symbolize something, and it's not good. Pride flags do the same," said a speaker named Frank.
The origins of Pride celebrations followed the raid of New York's Stonewall Inn in 1969.
That raid sparked powerful public protest, galvanizing the gay rights movement when many in the LGBTQ+ community lived in silence and fear.
Advocates in Palatine vowed to dispel misinformation and do what the month intended: celebrate love and acceptance.
"I am a foster parent raising two boys, and I want my boys to know that I am fighting for something that matters, and I am fighting for them to be raised in a community that is full of inclusion," Santman said.
The mayor has declined to publicly comment on whether or not the council will take this up as an issue. But the village did post a proclamation from the mayor for June as LGBTQ Pride Month.
Meanwhile, in nearby Arlington Heights, there are efforts to celebrate Pride.
The June special at Coco & Blu Café has begun. It's a fruit loop matcha latte with $1 from each drink going to Glen's Friends.
Janet McCarthy started the organization for her late brother, Glen, as the Village of Arlington Heights was entertaining raising a Pride flag during Pride Month.
While the village has not approved a Pride flag, McCarthy started a campaign, Heights Pride, with lawn signs for businesses and residents.
"I feel like everybody should feel proud of who they are and that people need to feel supported unconditional love for everyone and everyone is welcome," said Michael Brown with Coco & Blu Café.
"There would have been such a different life for him if this type of inclusion was there for him in school and in his community," McCarthy said.
Dombrowski, who attended Monday night's meeting, is with the Northwest Suburban Pride and Action Network. He is distributing the Heights Pride signs in Palatine.
"The reason I put up a Pride flag at my house is for the grandma across the street who has a gay grandchild or the person who is afraid to come out for fear of bullying and harassment," Dombrowski said.
"Our dream was that we'd been able to go up and down the northwest highway corridor from town to town and share the love," McCarthy said.