U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and members of the LGBTQ+ community spoke at a press conference in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square on Friday, June 20, 2025.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal with West Hartford Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd, representatives of West Hartford Pride, and other speakers at a press conference in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square on Friday, June 20. Courtesy photo

By Karla Ciaglo, CTNewsJunkie.com 

On the eve of this weekend’s West Hartford Pride Festival, members of the town’s LGBTQ+ community gathered Friday in Blue Back Square to rally for the long-stalled Equality Act and to call for stronger federal protections for their rights.

Organizers highlighted the urgency of their message by pointing out the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a Tennessee law restricting gender-affirming care for minors.

Standing near a newly repainted rainbow crosswalk, local advocates spoke passionately about the need for action beyond symbolic gestures.

The Pride flag on Isham Road has had its paint refreshed for 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

“Love is love makes a great slogan … A rainbow is a beautiful symbol,” said Johanna Schubert of West Hartford Pride. “But we’re not talking about symbols. We’re talking about lives. We’re talking about what’s given to you – the right to parent, the right to be, the right to exist.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling comes as more than 24 states have passed similar laws targeting transgender youth. While Connecticut remains a state with strong legal protections, local leaders said those protections remain vulnerable without a consistent national standard.

Anthony DiLizia, chief operating officer of The Health Collaborative that was founded in 1983 during the AIDS crisis, speaks to the crowd on June 20, 2025, before this weekend’s West Hartford Pride Festival. Photo credit: Karla Ciaglo, CTNewsJunkie

“We’ve seen how court rulings and interpretations can result in rollback of hard-fought rights,” said Anthony DiLizia, chief operating officer of The Health Collaborative, which was founded in 1983 during the AIDS crisis. “They can be erased by the stroke of a pen. Our community cannot live in fear of the next ruling or the next political shift. That is why the Equality Act is essential and long overdue.”

The Equality Act would amend federal civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, education, credit, jury service, and public accommodations. Advocates say the bill is more urgent than ever, especially with increasing legal attacks against LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.

Mel Cordner, executive director of Q Plus, highlighted the everyday impact on youth in Connecticut. “Queer people are people. I also deserve a mortgage – believe it or not. I don’t want to pay it, but I deserve the right to,” Cordner said. “There are kids being bullied out of school right now – kids being told they don’t deserve to be themselves. It’s not okay. Connecticut is better than that. Frankly, the country is better than that.”

Cordner also urged immediate community action ahead of the planned July 17 shutdown of 988, the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Since its launch in 2022, 988 has received over 1.3 million calls from LGBTQ+ individuals in crisis. While the Trevor Project remains available, advocates stressed that losing 988 will leave a major gap in mental health support.

“Everybody needs to do something,” Cordner said. “If all you do is signal-boost on social media, that’s something. Write to your representatives. Write to your healthcare provider … Come to rallies. Get to know your local nonprofits.”

West Hartford Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd echoed that call, adding: “It’s been a tough week, particularly with the Supreme Court decision. But from West Hartford, there’s nothing but love – and hopefully, love will prevail. Together we will continue this fight.”

Also addressing the gathering was U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who has long championed the Equality Act. While acknowledging the uphill battle in Congress, Blumenthal called Connecticut “a paragon of protecting equal rights” and urged federal action to eliminate the growing patchwork of laws that threaten LGBTQ+ rights across the country.

“This is a major setback for transgender rights,” Blumenthal said of the Tennessee ruling. “We have to stand our ground for the Equality Act, for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Say it out loud: equality, equality, equality.”

Friday’s event set the tone for Saturday’s West Hartford Pride Festival, as organizers hope to channel that momentum into broader advocacy, both in Connecticut and nationwide.

West Hartford Pride Co-Chair Johanna Schubert speaks at a press conference in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square on Friday, June 20. Courtesy photo

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