North Dakota councilwoman comes out as a lesbian during a heated Pride flag debate, shutting down homophobic remarks from the opposition.

A lesbian elected official in North Dakota, Carrie Evans, delivered an impassioned speech in defense of her municipality's decision to raise a Pride flag outside City Hall.

The town was to raise the flag in June. However, due to COVID-19, the city delayed the event.

Then, after they raised it last month, residents of the town aired concerns over the LGBTQ pride symbol's public display.

Afterward, the councilmembers held a meeting to allow residents to air their grievances about the mayor's decision to raise the Pride flag.

While in the meeting, one person claimed they had to "embarrassingly" explain the flag to their neighbors.

Another claimed the existence of the flag as inciting 'war' in the city.

However, Carrie Evans took a stand and made it clear that she had had enough of the resident opposing the flag.

But some residents tried to silence her, saying she doesn't have a right to speak.

Carrie then dismissed the critics, saying she is an elected official, and no one can silence her.

At the meeting, the councilwoman said:

"So Mr. Walker, if you're not aware and I think a lot of people in this room are not… this is a gay issue."

"I am proudly the first openly elected lesbian in North Dakota."

"So, that is why I am not paying any heed to your cr*p."

She continued:

"This city is big enough for all of us. Me having a flag flying doesn't take away anything from your rights and freedoms. But you know what it does for me?"

"It shows me I live in a city that appreciates and embraces me and the people of my community. And that I can live here and feel safe."

"That's what it does. I'm sorry it doesn't make you feel comfortable. But we're here. We're queer. We're not going away."

Evans, who grew up in Minot, told KXMB-TV that she left the city three decades ago. At the time, she didn't feel welcome due to her sexual orientation.

She then returned in 2017 and now finds Minot much more accepting.

She said:

"Every single person is entitled to see themselves represented."

"We are not some group of people who live in San Francisco or Seattle. We are here and we are your elected officials."

"In fact, we are your brothers. We are your sisters and don't tell me you're not [feeling] our anger. That's all I feel."

"I've had to listen to it for days now, as has the mayor and many of my colleagues. It is unacceptable!"