The city celebrated its first-ever Pride Month observance after refusing to dissolve its diversity commission — a decision that may have cost it $20 million.
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. — Amid a federal crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the City of Mountlake Terrace is pushing back: marking its first official Pride Month celebration while standing firm on its commitment to its LGBTQ+ community.
An 8-year-old girl named Ellie Meier was given the honor of raising the Pride flag over Mountlake Terrace City Hall, a moment her mother, Tiff Meier, called deeply meaningful.
“I think teaching her acceptance of everyone is important, and I think we know that it’s something we’ve talked about since she was little,” Tiff Meier said.
The celebration comes at a politically charged moment in America. Mountlake Terrace established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission in the wake of George Floyd’s 2020 murder. Five days after President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, his administration changed the criteria for receiving federal grants, singling out cities with DEI policies.
Mountlake Terrace was in the running for a $20 million grant to fund a Main Street renovation project. City leaders knew their DEI stance could put the money at risk but refused to dissolve the commission. Ultimately, the city did not receive the grant. The administration never explicitly cited the city’s DEI policies as the reason, but many at City Hall felt the writing was on the wall.
“It was important to us to assure our community members that we would continue the work of diversity, equity and inclusion because that is what we believe in,” said Mountlake Terrace DEI Coordinator Carolyn Hope. Â
City Councilmember Sam Doyle added, “This is a time for individuals, organizations and cities to stand up for what they believe in and affirm their values with regard to the community.”
Tiff Meier said the city’s willingness to risk the funding made her proud — and gave her hope for what her daughter is learning.
“That she is able to stand up for those that need it and that she is able to be her true, authentic self,” she said.
Meier acknowledged the country’s current direction weighs on her.
“In some ways I think we’re going backwards,” she said. “I think society is hearing negative messages from high up in administrations that these people are bad or dangerous.”
But in Mountlake Terrace, the message being sent — one flag raise at a time — is the opposite.
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