KENOSHA — On Tuesday, the Kenosha County Human Services Committee will vote on a resolution to officially recognize June as Pride Month in Kenosha County. If passed in committee, it would go immediately to the full County Board for a vote the same evening.
The last time Kenosha County officially recognized Pride Month was in May 2021 — five years ago.
The resolution was co-authored by Supervisor Knezz and Supervisor Sarah Kirby, who says the vote is about more than just a proclamation.
"I think it's really important to reaffirm the struggles the LGBTQIA+ community has encountered throughout history," Kirby said. "Seeing a lot of protections being rolled back — seeing a lot of hatred towards the community. Even if it's just affirming that there have been a lot of struggles, we need to stand in solidarity."
Watch: Kenosha community pushes for Pride Month resolution
Kirby says hearing people in power express support for the community carries a weight that cannot be understated.
"Hearing people in power say we support you, we care about you — you really can't put value on that," she said.
Chelsea Vecchione, the owner of The Final Girl, rallied her community to show up and speak in support of the resolution after seeing the call to action on Facebook.
"When I opened the bar, I didn't label it as a gay bar — it's just a safe space for the community," Vecchione said. "It's 2026 — we should already be recognized."
Vecchione says passing the resolution would be a meaningful step forward for Kenosha.
"It would strengthen the community, I think it would be a step in the right direction that Kenosha definitely needs," she said.
TMJ4 News will continue to follow this story as it develops.
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