‘Be Loud, Be Proud, Stand Against Hate’: West Hartford Raises Pride Flag to Begin Celebrations

West Hartford kicked off their fifth year of month-long Pride celebrations by raising the Pride flag on Monday evening. 

By Bridget Bronsdon 

June will be a month of celebration for West Hartford Pride as festivals, rallies, and more are on the horizon. The celebrations formally began on Monday evening as a crowd of local leaders, students, and families gathered in front of Town Hall for the annual raising of the Pride flag. 

New England Pride 247-365, an intergenerational collective of queer artists, allies, musicians, and more, began the ceremony by performing several upbeat songs for the attendees. 

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Following the energetic performance and a warm welcome from West Hartford Pride Co-Chairs Johanna Schubert and Barry Walters, Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd issued the formal proclamation. 

The proclamation read, “Whereas the town of West Hartford supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination, and whereas Pride month is observed every June to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Manhattan.” 

“And whereas we as a society are learning, understanding, and embracing diverse definitions of sexuality and gender. Education and awareness remain vital to ending discrimination and prejudice. And whereas the town of West Hartford will raise the Pride flag, representing light, healing, sun, calmness, art, and spirit in front of town hall this month of June,” Wenograd said. 

He also noted that this year’s theme is “Be loud, be proud, stand against hate,” and officially proclaimed June 2024 as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender Pride month. 

Before the flag was officially raised, Walters offered his gratitude to those in attendance. “It’s a testament to our community,” he said and also informed attendees of the other events happening later this month, such as Thursday’s kick-off party at GastroPark. 

He also explained that the Pride flag is being flown at Town Hall this year rather than on Unity Green where the single flagpole has the American flag currently flying at half staff in honor of Connecticut State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who was killed by a hit and run driver last week. The Pride flag would have to be flown well below the American flag and would not have been very visible. Town Hall has two flagpoles.

The celebrations will come to an exciting end with a rally and festival on June 22 at town hall. “We see you, you’re valuable, and we can’t wait to welcome you back right here on June 22,” said Schubert to close the ceremony. 

New England Pride 247-365 then returned to sing “If We Only Have Love” from the musical “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.” The attendees, sporting colorful garb and rainbow paraphernalia held each other close while the ensemble echoed lyrics of love, unity and pride. Walters and Schubert were then assisted by student helpers to raise the flag and officially commence West Hartford’s Pride month celebrations. 

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