Mansfield Select Board Votes 3-2 to Codify Pride and Juneteenth Flags in Town Policy

MANSFIELD — July 15, 2026 — Mansfield Select Board votes 3-2 to adopt flag policy explicitly naming Pride Progress and Juneteenth flags. The board approved Version 2 of a revised flag policy Tuesday, codifying the town's practice of flying the Pride Progress flag and the Juneteenth flag each June on a designated flagpole at Town Hall. Board member Costas, a leading proponent, cited a 2019 Trevor Project study showing one supportive adult can reduce LGBTQ youth suicide risk by up to 40 percent and argued that Town Counsel had described the named-flag approach as "one of the best options to avoid legal jeopardy" given current Supreme Court precedent. Two members dissented, arguing the only litigation-guaranteed option was a government-flags-only policy. Former Select Board member Maureen Daugherty told the board an informal Facebook survey showed 81 percent of respondents wanted only government flags flown, while other speakers called the survey unscientific and said those most affected by the flags are least likely to speak publicly.