“Serving San Francisco as civic, business, non-profit and community leaders, our LGBT community contributes to our City’s history, economic vitality and culture, building a brighter future for all in San Francisco,” Mayor Lee said. On a more somber note, Mayor Lee marked the 30th anniversary of the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, and paid tribute to advocates who helped combat the disease, both them and now. In a statement designating June as LGBT Pride Month, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee made a point to specifically mention two events that have defined the city’s LGBT community as one of the largest in the nation.įirst, he recognized that 2017 would be San Francisco’s 41st year hosting an official Pride parade, making San Francisco’s celebrations some of the oldest in the nation.
Mayors are also recognizing the entire month of June as Pride Month, and using their proclamations to recognize the important contributions LGBT make to their communities. But this year, the city’s “More Color, More Pride” event is trying to further add to Pride’s spirit of inclusivity by adding the colors black and brown to the traditional rainbow flag to lift up the experiences of LGBTQ people of color. “This shows we will fight for justice, equality and stand in solidarity with all members of the LGBTQ Community,” said Mayor Jim Kenney, who was involved in the decision. Philadelphia has long hosted one of the country’s most robust Pride celebrations. “We are proud to be building a diverse city that includes our LGBT neighbors,” Mayor Duggan said. In Detroit, Mayor Mike Duggan is also flying the flag for the first time in the city’s history. The flag was hoisted over Hart Plaza in advance of the Motor City Pride Festival, the state’s largest Pride event. Ithaca isn’t the only city waving the flag this month. “It will remain there the entire month of June,” he wrote, “as an appreciation of the immeasurable impact the LGBT community has had on Ithaca, and as a reminder of the horrors caused by unchecked discrimination.” That’s the case for Ithaca, NY, where Mayor Svante Myrick is having the city fly the Pride flag above City Hall for the first time, throughout the entire month of June. Mayor Myrick announced the news himself on Facebook. In dozens of cities, mayors have ordered the rainbow LGBTQ Pride flag to be raised above City Hall or other government buildings-and for many cities, it’s the first time that’s happening. Here’s a short look at how mayors are honoring Pride: Waving the Pride Flag Above the City T hey’re also marching in rallies and parades, and speaking out publicly in other ways to spread the message far and wide that equal treatment for LGBT Americans helps us build stronger communities for everyone. The rainbow flag is going up at city halls across the country, but that’s not the only way mayors are celebrating Pride. We’re well into Pride Month, and that means our 250+ coalition of mayors are showing their rainbow stripes-literally. Mayors Across The Country Are Celebrating the Diversity Of Pride In A Diversity of Ways This Year Posted on June 23, 2017