The West Hartford community came together for the annual Pride flag-raising ceremony at Unity Green. 

By Roz Green

West Hartford kicked off Pride Month with enthusiasm on Monday, June 1, as residents and others from throughout the community gathered at the Unity Green for the Pride Flag Raising ceremony, bringing a lively and contagious energy to the ceremony, all in the name of love. 

By 5:30 p.m., Unity Green looked as if it was covered with a blanket of rainbow, as pride flags waved around from every inch of the intersection of Farmington Avenue and South Main Street. 

This event was aimed at marking the beginning of an exciting and eventful month, highlighting West Hartford’s love and support for everyone, no matter who they are and who they love. The town’s ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community radiated, as children and adults alike were seen in rainbow-colored clothing, and all holding up their own pride flags. 

Many state officials were at the event, such as West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, state Sen. Derek Slap, and even Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

“My fellow town councilors are also really important in supporting everybody and making sure that pride stays so strong in West Hartford, and we are, again, a place where everybody is welcome,” said Cantor during her remarks, reminding attendees that West Hartford supports the rights of every citizen to love and be free as they are.

Cantor also announced to the audience that she and the Town Council proclaimed June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, “… and call upon arguments to eliminate prejudice and bias everywhere, and celebrate our diversity,” said  Cantor as she finished her remarks. 

Lamont, who spoke shortly after Mayor Cantor, echoed her remarks in a powerful and heartwarming speech, drawing cheers and applause from every corner of Unity Green. “Just leave us alone, government,” said Lamont. “Let us be who we are, regardless of race, color, creed, who we love, how we identify. Leave us alone.” 

Lamont continued his remarks by emphasizing the importance of looking out for each other, especially during this day and age. “People are trying to divide us and separate us and show what we don’t have in common. Today we remember what we all have in common,” said Lamont as cheers erupted throughout the crowd. 

Lyric Bryant, a sophomore at Hall High, was then given a chance to speak and share their experiences growing up Black and queer. They gave the audience a youth’s perspective on growing up queer, stating that they’ve been discriminated against and seen differently because of their race and gender identity. However, they were able to find a home within the LGBTQ+ community, a place of acceptance.

“For me what it’s like to be queer is more than just a personality trait, but it’s something that I feel so deep inside of me because it helps me feel like I’m myself,” said Bryant, emphasizing the importance of support and community. 

Barry Walters, a West Hartford town councilor and founder/executive director of West Hartford Pride, then gave his remarks. During his speech, Walters asked everyone in the audience who had their own flag to raise it in the air. “By doing so, by raising this little flag, you are committing acts of acknowledgement, of pride and joy, and of defiance,” he said, as he looked across the vast sea of rainbow. 

As attendees continued to hold their flags in the air, Walters urged them to continue to fight, because it took a lot of fighting to be able to hold this flag up high without getting abandoned from your family, excommunicated from your church, or fired from your job. “We must fight for the non-binary youth in our school who are being bullied without consequence,” said Walters. “We must fight for the Black trans woman who is a victim of violence. We must fight for the lesbian who cannot find affordable housing. We must fight for the queer man who does not have access to HIV/AIDS treatment or prevention drugs. We must fight for every single member of the LGBTQIA+ community here and across the United States.”

After Walters left the crowd roaring with applause and filled with pride, it was time for the flag raising. Walters invited the youth in the audience to come up and assist, allowing them to be a part of such a monumental moment. 

The ceremony concluded with a powerful and breathtaking performance by New England Pride 365, and as the pride flag flew high, the pride in the air grew stronger, officially marking the start of a month-long pride celebration. 

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