Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, the City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Advisory and Concerns Commission, and other dignitaries held an LGBTQ Pride Flag-Raising Ceremony as part of Newark Gay Pride Week Tuesday, in the City Hall First Floor Rotunda, at 920 Broad Street.
The rainbow flag, a universal symbol of LGBTQ pride, will fly outside City Hall for the duration of the ninth annual Newark Pride Week. The City of Newark created its first-ever LGBTQ Commission six years ago and Mayor Baraka’s office and the Commission are actively working on initiatives for the LGBTQ community. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Newark Gay Pride.
“In the last few weeks, we have seen tremendous gains for the LGBTQ community with the Supreme Court ruling that same-sex marriages are legal throughout our land. At home, we are placing LGBTQ decals on businesses that support and welcome that community,” Mayor Baraka said. “We are seeing the transformation of our City and nation into an America we can all believe in, and I am proud to join with Newark’s LGBTQ community this week by rejoicing in these gains, supporting their drive for equality, and celebrating their culture.”
“When we created Pride Week a decade ago, we were dealing with the senseless death of lesbian teenager and Newark native Sakia Gunn as a result of bigotry. Today, during our Decennial Pride, we are celebrating National Marriage Equality. I’m proud to have created not only an event, but an invigorated movement that continues to grow and now is thriving throughout Newark,” said Newark Pride Founder June Dowell-Burton.
“As Chair of the Newark’s LGBTQ commissioners I would like to send my congratulations to the Newark Gay Pride Founders and Committee. Gaining marriage equality for all was a long process, which was finally won. Simultaneously, we are placing and seeing Newark’s LGBTQ decal for open-minded businesses on stores across the City, in acceptance of our community. The LGBTQ commissioners are proud to be a part of the great Flag Raising ceremony,” said Newark LGBTQ Commission Chair Susu Stewart.
photo credit: City of Newark Press Office
